Page 44 of Curse of Ancients

“It seems the fae aren’t the only ones who can use glamour.” Nekoma handed the small book to Bayu. He scanned the pages, and his heart sank further. He turned his back on the woman pretending to be his aunt and began looking for the curse that bound his Tiger. Someone’s phone rang, but Bayu ignored it until Carleigh hissed out a “fuck.”

“Nekoma, get Bayu out of here. We have company.”

Bayu closed the journal and turned back toward his mate. Nekoma rushed Bayu, grabbing him as he opened a portal, and whisked him through. They landed on Carleigh’s front lawn.

“No, I need to go back to Carleigh. I won’t leave her there to fight. Nekoma, please.”

Julian rushed out the front door. “Get inside, Bayu.”

“I will not leave my mate to fight without me. Nekoma, take me back.”

“I’ll go, but I need you to get in the house with Harlow,” Julian said as he rushed toward Nekoma. “We don’t have time to argue. I’ll take care of your mate. You have my word.”

“I can fight. Please do not ask me to stay here. Let me get my katana.”

Julian nodded. “Go, but hurry.”

Bayu rushed toward the house, but by the time he made it to the steps, Julian and Nekoma had disappeared through another vortex.

“Fuck!” Bayu gripped his hair, tugging. Why would Julian do that to him?

“Get your ass in the house so I can lock it down.” Juniper was waiting with the door open. Bayu’s shoulders slumped as he trudged her way. “Come with me,” she instructed after locking the door and setting the alarm. He followed her to the office where Harlow was talking and typing at the same time.

“Nekoma portaled Julian to help. Bayu’s safe with me. If you have any males to spare, now would be the time to send them.”

“Major’s almost to Anthony’s, and he has Erik with him. Anthony should be there with Elle since he finished a job yesterday and took the day off,” Tabitha responded. “Have Nekoma go get them.”

Harlow turned to Bayu. “Call Carleigh and have her send Nekoma to Anthony’s house.”

Bayu’s hands shook as he removed his phone from his back pocket. He was still holding the journal, so he placed it on the desk and made the call.

“I know you’re pissed, my tiger, but—”

“Send Nekoma to Anthony’s so he can get Major there to help. We’ll discuss how pissed I am later.”

“Got it. Love you.” Carleigh dropped that little bomb and hung up before he could respond.

Harlow snorted, but Bayu didn’t find anything about this situation funny. After tossing his phone on the desk, he stared at the monitor. He focused on the one inside where his mate held a sword to Gemi’s neck. No, not Gemi – an imposter.

Harlow cursed. “No, Nekoma was supposed to… Oh. Oh! What are they doing here?”

“Who are they?” There was a large man along with a fae coming through a portal on Carleigh’s front lawn.

“If I’m not mistaken, the fae is Thran, Elle’s older brother. He’s the royal guardian to Rhoan, the dragon prince. Not sure who the other dude is if not Rhoan. Let’s go see what they want.”

Juniper’s eyes were wide as she stared out the front window. “Friends of Elle’s?”

“I’m about to find out.” Harlow disabled the alarm and opened the door after pulling a sword from her bracelet. She closed it behind her, leaving it cracked so Bayu could hear.

The non-fae held up his empty hands. “I am Prince Rhoan, and this is Elledan’s brother, Thrandyr. We seek Bayu Tan,” Prince Rhoan said.

“What do you want with him?”

“I bear the mark of the Nuhuala, and I have come to his aid.”

Bayu stepped outside, stopping just over the threshold. Rhoan inclined his head, then he pushed up the sleeve on his right arm, showing the firstborn mark. “Baekyo came to King Mórdrake and told him you are in trouble. How may I assist?”

“You can portal me to my mate so we can kick mage ass. The Black Lotus killed my family, and now they’re after me. There is a female among them pretending to be my aunt. Just let me grab my katana.” He retrieved his weapon, and when he rejoined the two males, Harlow was nowhere to be seen. Bayu assumed she had returned to the office.