Page 5 of Curse of Ancients

“It will be if I can figure out who it was. Since they were here, it’s probably a customer or a vendor.” Carleigh’s body began heating from the inside as though she had the flu. Gargoyles didn’t get sick so… “Oh, shit. I hate to rush this along, but I need to get going. Stat.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to transition, and I don’t want to do it here.”

“Oh. Oh! Okay. This should be easy considering there have only been three people in the lobby within the past week. Everything else has been taken care of via phone or video conference.” Grace wrote down three names, explaining who they were and why each one was there. The first two were follow-up meetings with Travis, and the third was someone new wanting to speak with Sebastian about a custom-built home. “If it is this one,” Grace tapped the third name, “He was here this morning. A strange thing happened, though. He was mid-sentence when he froze, his eyes going all distant. He then held his hands out in front of him, staring at them, before apologizing. He ran out of here like his ass was on fire. As strange as that was, I will say if any of them are your mate, I’m putting my money on him.”

Carleigh took the paper, staring at the name. “Why is that?”

“The first two are old enough to be your dad, but Bayu Tan? Let’s just say that man is hotter than the sun. He looks like that actor from Breaking the Jungle. The Asian one.”

“No kidding?” Carleigh didn’t have a type, but she had to admit if her mate was half as handsome as Brandon Cho, it wouldn’t hurt her feelings. “Did he schedule a meeting with Bas? Because if he’s going to West Virginia, I need to head that direction. Well, not immediately. After I go home and, you know.”

“I’m afraid not. Like I said, he did that freezing thing after little more than an introduction. There was something weird, though. Well, weirder than him staring at his hands. I could have sworn his eyes were brown, but when he turned to leave, they were a vibrant blue. Anyway, I only got his name, not a phone number or anything else. But if anyone can find him, you can.”

“I hope you’re right. Thanks, Grace.”

“Keep me posted. This is so exciting.”

Carleigh tapped the paper on her hand. “I will.” Instead of taking the elevator, Carleigh raced down the steps. When she got back to her office, she grabbed her purse. “I’m fixing to transition, and I’d rather not be stuck at the office afterward.”

“Fuck. Let me drive you just in case.” Harlow snagged her own purse and all but pushed Carleigh out the door. She waited until they were in her car before asking, “Did you get anything from Grace?”

Carleigh put the air conditioning on the lowest setting and turned the vents toward her face. “Whoever he is went to Sebastian’s office. I have a name. Well, three actually, but Grace said two of the men are too old for me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a silver fox,” Harlow countered.

“Not if you’re into that, which I’m not. So that leaves the younger, Asian one. His name is Bayu Tan. He came in to talk to Bas, but Grace said he stopped mid-sentence, staring at his hands, then ran out before she could get his number.”

“Hmm, that’s odd.”

“Yeah, and she said she could have sworn his eyes were brown, but as he turned to leave, they were blue.”

“As soon as I get you situated, I’ll start looking into him so when you’re all fangy, you’ll have some info on the guy.”

“Not sure I’m going to make it to my house. Better go to June’s.”

“Hang on.” Harlow turned the car around and headed the opposite direction.

Chapter 3

Bayu struggled to control Tiger when Major’s clothes fell away and he shifted into a lion. Just as quickly, he returned to his human form, only now, he was naked. “I mean you no harm,” he repeated. Major knelt so that he was on eye level with Tiger. “I am a Gryphon, and it is our duty to protect others, human and shifter alike.”

Settle, Tiger. Trust his words. Tiger huffed, but he gave control over to Bayu who returned to their skin. “My apologies, Major. Tiger has never been around anyone like you.”

Major stood and covered his crotch with his hands. “No harm done. And your animal is stunning. I know several different shifters, but I’ve never met a white tiger.” He bent and grabbed his shirt, using it to cover his lower body. “It really isn’t fair that you’re able to shift without shredding your clothes. The only others I know with that capability are the dire wolves and polar bears.”

Bayu couldn’t believe what Major was saying. “How many types of shifters are there?”

“That we know of? Other than those I mentioned, there are Gargoyles, regular wolves, lions, king cheetahs, and arctic foxes. There are also hybrids who have two of those types as parents. Then there are the dragons.”

“Dragons?” Surely not.

“Yes, but they live in a different realm with the fae. All but one, and she’s mated to a Gargoyle, and they reside in Norway.”

As Bayu tried to wrap his mind around this information, he gauged Major’s size. He was quite a bit larger than Bayu, but Bayu had some athletic wear that would do. “Allow me to get you something to put on.” He retreated to his bedroom and came back with some sweatpants and the largest T-shirt he owned. Once Major was dressed, Bayu gestured toward the sofa. “Please have a seat.” Major did, and Bayu took the chair opposite. “This changes everything.”

“What do you mean?” Major asked. “Mr. Tanner, please tell me why you need a bodyguard.”