Page 42 of Curse of Ancients

“She says she is, and she also said she knows how to remove the curse. How should we proceed?”

Bayu was staring at the monitor. “How can that be Gemi when she sent a text stating she was already there?”

Carleigh told Warren about the text, then said, “It’s possible the text came from a Black Lotus member pretending to be her.”

“Warren, ask her where the journal is.” If she was his Gemi, she would know what he was talking about.

“Gemi, where is the journal?”

Bayu watched the woman’s face as she responded. “It was in the bag I gave the woman.”

Carleigh gripped Bayu’s hand. “That’s the truth, but she could have gotten that information from the real Gemi. Warren, ask her about the Black Lotus. Ask her what they want with Bayu.”

“What does the Black Lotus want with Bayu?”

“They want his power.”

Carleigh shook her head. “Too easy, even though she is speaking freely. Ask her how to remove the curse.”

Warren relayed the question, and that’s when she faltered a bit. “It’s a spell. I copied it from a book I found at the house. It requires Bayu’s blood. I would need to go back for the paper, though.”

Warren didn’t need prodding for the next question. “You think they’d let you waltz back in to get it after we rescued you?”

“Yes. They need me to get to Bayu.”

Nekoma, who was pacing, opened a portal and disappeared. Carleigh cocked her head to the side. “Nekoma’s out front. Warren, hang on to her please.” Before the three of them could get down the hall, Julian had opened the front door for the fae.

“I do not trust her,” Nekoma said with no preamble. “I have an idea, but it will require Elledan’s assistance.”

“What are you thinking?” Harlow asked.

“That she and I glamour ourselves. Her to look like Gemi, and I will appear to be Bayu. We can portal back to the compound and hide in the shadows to look for this paper she spoke of.”

Harlow shook her head. “I don’t think Tony’s going to let you take his mate into a cult’s compound. Not without him going as backup.”

Bayu didn’t want the fae and his sister risking themselves in such a way. “Before we go that far, let me speak with her. I want to see her for myself.”

“I’m going with you,” Carleigh insisted.

“Do you want me there too?” Julian asked.

“No. I’d prefer you watch over Juni. Silas will be with us.”

Harlow placed her hands on her hips. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

“No. You are a badass, but if the Black Lotus were to find my house, that would be one against however many of them. Two is better than one.”

Bayu wondered why they weren’t including Juniper in the equation. Was she not also a Gargoyle? “And your sister?”

“Juniper is a half-blood like me. She won’t transition until she meets her mate. She is a skilled fighter, but she isn’t as strong as someone who can shift.”

Did that mean Carleigh had only recently come into her beast? He would ask her later. For now… “Then it’s settled. Nekoma will take you and me so I can see this female for myself.”

Harlow grabbed Carleigh by the shoulders. “Be careful. If this woman isn’t Gemi, we don’t know what she’s capable of.”

Julian went outside, and a few seconds later, Silas entered the house. Nekoma opened a portal in the living room, and he, Carleigh, and Silas stepped through with no hesitation. Bayu blew out a breath and followed. It was an odd feeling, traveling such a long distance in seconds. Warren still had the woman in his grasp, and when she saw Bayu, her eyes widened briefly before she smiled.

“Bayu, I was so worried.” She tried to step toward him, but Warren kept her where she was. The woman frowned at the Gargoyle. “I will not harm my nephew.”