Page 45 of Curse of Ancients

Rhoan held up a hand. “Are you sure you should help? The mages will recognize you.”

“I’m sure. I am not sitting back while my mate fights without me.”

Thran angled his head. “I have an idea.” He then waved a hand in front of Bayu. “There. Now you do not look like yourself.”

Bayu wasn’t sure who he looked like, but he didn’t care. “Let’s go.”

Rhoan closed his eyes and touched his arm. A portal opened, and the three of them stepped through. They were met with chaos. The Gargoyles had their wings out, keeping them safe from everything the mages flung at them. Fireballs were being tossed at the mages, but Bayu couldn’t tell who was throwing them. He assumed one of the fae was hiding them in the shadows. A large eagle was diving at one of the Black Lotus members, tearing at their skin with its massive talons. A hoard of black birds swooped and retreated, stealing the mages’ focus momentarily. When the evil ones noticed the newcomers, they split up and attempted to attack, but Rhoan shifted to his dragon and bellowed before unleashing a blast of blue flame from his massive jaws. The mages screamed as they were set on fire. Those who avoided the flames were met with more fireballs.

A roar sounded inside the house, and Bayu’s skin prickled. “Carleigh.” He needed to put eyes on his mate. Bayu swung his katana at a mage who was between him and the front door, the blade slicing through the man’s body. Julian flew to the porch, blocking Bayu’s entrance.

“Get out of my way, Julian. My mate is in there, and I will not leave her alone a second longer.”

“Bayu?” Julian whispered.

“Yes. Now please move out of the way.”

Julian’s eyes widened, and he lunged. Bayu sidestepped the broadsword, but a grunt behind him proved he had not been the target. He turned just as a mage dropped to his knees. Bayu didn’t wait for Julian to argue further. He burst into the house, desperate to put eyes on his mate.

Chapter 16

Carleigh didn’t have time to worry about Bayu being mad or the fact that she casually told him she loved him, then hung up. When Harlow called and warned them, they all moved inside the house where they could keep the mages outside as long as possible. Carleigh had a short sword trained against fake Gemi’s neck. Her hands were bound behind her back, but she still had her voice.

“I’m assuming since you’re an evil mage that you don’t need to speak to incite chaos.” Carleigh pushed the tip of the sword harder into her skin. “So let me warn you; if anything happens that I feel is off in the slightest, I’ll slit your throat.” Fake Gemi glared but didn’t argue.

Warren stood sentry by the front door, and Silas was looking out the window. “Nekoma’s back, and Julian’s with him. Nekoma is lobbing fireballs, and Julian’s wings are out, shielding them.” Warren opened the door, and Nekoma and Julian rushed through, the latter retracting his wings at the last second. Warren slammed the door, setting the alarm.

Julian, whose shirt was tattered, crossed to where Carleigh was standing. “Bayu is probably madder than hell right about now. I told him I would wait for him, then Nekoma and I left him behind.” Julian glanced down at the woman. “Not the aunt?”

“Nope, just a mage pretending to be. The good thing is we don’t believe she is bound from speaking about the Black Lotus.” Carleigh hated to ask, but they needed help. “Nekoma, Major and another Hound are waiting for you at Anthony’s.”

Nekoma inclined his head, took a deep breath, and once again opened a vortex. It faltered momentarily, then whooshed as usual. Carleigh had a feeling the fae was running out of steam with all the portals he’d opened.

Carleigh pointed at her dad’s bare chest with one of her swords. “There are plenty of clothes in the closets if you want to change shirts.”

“Nah. I’ll end up shredding it too.” Julian joined Warren at the window when he cursed.

“What is it?” Carleigh asked.

“More mages. Where the fuck are they coming from? It’s not like they can portal in from the compound.”

Carleigh turned to the female. “How are the mages getting here so quickly?” When she glared at Carleigh without answering, Carleigh touched the tip of the blade to the woman’s throat. “I have no problem killing you, so answer the fucking question.”

“They’ve been hiding in the woods, waiting to see if they could follow someone to where Bayu is staying.”

“Why? You cursed him and took away his power.” This had been bothering Carleigh for a while.

Before she could answer, the back door opened, and for a few seconds, Carleigh couldn’t see anyone. When the door closed, the shadows dropped, and Major, Nekoma, and who she assumed was Erik, appeared with Anthony and Elle. Major caught Nekoma before he could slump to the floor.

“He’s spent too much energy opening all his portals. Take him to one of the bedrooms to rest,” Carleigh instructed.

“I’ve got him.” Anthony lifted his brother-in-law into his arms and shuffled down the hall with Elle following.

Major joined Carleigh, and he nodded toward the woman. “She giving you trouble?”

“A little, yes. Your help would be appreciated so I know she is telling the truth. By the way, she said the mages have been hiding outside, but the security cameras didn’t pick them up, so maybe we need to add some thermal ones?”

Major rubbed a hand through his beard. “I’ll talk to Tabby about it.”