Page 29 of Curse of Ancients

“Gemi wants my address. I guess she’s coming here?” When Bayu began responding, Carleigh placed her hand over the phone.

“Wait. I don’t want to sound the alarm without due cause, but how can you be certain that’s Gemi? She’s spent quite a bit of time around your parents’ place, and if the Black Lotus left Kiki’s body there, who’s to say they aren’t hanging around?”

“But to what end? They got what they wanted.”

“Did they? Didn’t you say they want power?” Bayu nodded, and Carleigh moved out from between his legs to lean against the counter. “When they killed your father, he ceased to exist, returning to dust, so they couldn’t obtain his blood. It’s possible they didn’t know that would happen. Then they took Kiki and cursed you, but what if they cursed you so you couldn’t shift or use your Nuhuala powers. They’re probably searching for you, and what better way to find you than using Gemi?”

“So, I never speak to her again?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying you need to be cautious in how you respond.”

Bayu typed out a curt response of “why?” and showed it to Carleigh before hitting send.

“Good. That’s good.”

Juni whimpered, and Juniper held up her hand. “I’ve got him. Maybe you should go downstairs so he doesn’t hear this conversation.”

Bayu stood and followed Carleigh out of the bathroom. They stopped to check on the cub first, but with Juniper lying beside him, he’d calmed down.

By the time they got downstairs, Bayu’s phone beeped again.

Gemi: I need to send you a package.

Carleigh’s parents and Silas were sitting in the living room, each with a different drink in their hand. Julian spoke first. “Are you okay, Son?”

Bayu was temporarily shocked at Julian claiming him. Then again, Carleigh’s family was everything parents and siblings should be, much like his own had been. He was blessed they had accepted him so easily. “Not really.”

“What’s going on?” Kat asked.

Carleigh answered for him, which he didn’t mind at all. “Gemi texted Bayu and asked for his address. I think we need to be cautious in case the Black Lotus have captured her, so he responded ‘why,’ and she sent back that she needs to send him a package. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’d rather not risk Bayu’s life.” Carleigh took a seat on one of the sofas, patting the cushion next to her. Bayu sat close, but Carleigh scooted over until their legs were touching and took his hand.

“I have a suggestion,” Silas said. “How about we give her the address to one of the safe houses? Dominic has already gathered some males together, so I say we send them to watch the house. If Gemi sends a package, they can bring it here. If the Black Lotus shows up, then we know it’s a trap. Plus, we won’t have to go looking for them.”

“Won’t that compromise the location of the safehouse? The addresses are a secret for a reason.”

Silas shrugged one shoulder. “That’s possible, but Bayu’s safety is more important than losing the use of one property. Hell, I’ll purchase a new one myself if it comes to that.”

Carleigh squeezed Bayu’s hand. “Is that okay with you?”

Bayu wasn’t okay with Silas buying the place, but he didn’t say that. “Yes. You all are the experts here.”

Silas pulled out his phone. “Excellent. I’ll text Tabitha and find out which of the safehouses are available. We should use one that isn’t too close in case it is the Black Lotus.”

“I think Dom should take Nekoma with them when he returns from Evyndral. His magic is powerful, and he might learn something we could use against them, if it is them instead of Gemi,” Carleigh added. “It’s also possible he learned something when visiting his mother that he could use against them to slow them down or put them out of commission.”

“Good idea.” Julian downed his drink and set the empty on the end table. “Bayu, is it possible the members of the Council of Shen are still alive?”

“If they are tiger shifters, maybe. I don’t know when the scrolls were written. If it was in the last five hundred years, then it’s probable.”

Julian stood and pulled his mate to her feet. “While you wait on Tabitha to respond, I’m going to begin researching them. The scanned pages and images are running in the background.”

“I appreciate everything, but don’t you want to call it a night?”

“I’m good for a few days without sleep. Kat is going to turn in. While Juniper is watching over Juni, you and Carleigh should rest too. You’re the ones who’ve traveled back and forth without stopping. Plus, you now have a little one to look after. Just maybe leave your door unlocked in case Juni decides he wants to crawl in bed with you.”

Bayu hadn’t thought of that, but it was a good idea. He was glad Jon had brought Bayu’s larger bed. “We can do that, but if anything comes up during the night, please don’t hesitate to wake me.”

Julian placed his hand on Bayu’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Only if it’s an emergency. Issues like this one aren’t solved in hours, Son. It might be months before we have answers, but we will get them, and when we do, The Clan will take care of these bastards.”