Page 52 of Curse of Ancients

“Carleigh’s Clan are Gargoyle shifters. There is something in the toxin of their mating bite that stops the aging process. I will never look older than I do in this moment, just as Carleigh will always appear to be twenty-six. And just so you are aware, there are other types of shifters like Gryphons, wolves, foxes, cheetahs, lions, polar bears, and even dragons. Then there are the fae like Nekoma. Now they have us, the white tigers. It is fascinating to think there are so many different types of beings walking among humans. We can chat more on that later. I am ready to speak with the witches and see if they can remove the curse. I would love it if you came downstairs and got to know your new family.”

“Do you think they would let me help with supper?”

“I have no doubt.” As Bayu led his aunt downstairs, he prayed to Baekyo that Gemi would find some peace in being surrounded by her new family.

Chapter 18

Elle followed the twins to the office, and Anthony went outside to join Juniper and Nekoma, who were sitting by the pool. Carleigh wanted to hear all about what happened outside the safehouse and how they took down the mages, but it would have to wait. Getting the curse removed was more important. When she tried to hand Juni to her mom, he clung to her, so she carried him to the office where the twins were poring over the journal Nekoma had retrieved. Harlow was tapping away at her keyboard, and Elle was sitting on the edge of the desk.

Carleigh waited two point five seconds before asking, “Can you reverse it?”

Luna bobbed her head, while Solara bit her bottom lip. “If we had all the ingredients, absolutely, but…” Luna tapped her cheek with a pointed fingernail. Solara flipped the page, reading.

“Do you think…?” Luna said at the same time Solara asked, “What about…?” “You first,” they said in unison.

“Oh, for fu— uh fudge’s sake.” Harlow almost slipped but caught herself from cussing in front of Juni. “Luna, you go first.” They were used to the twins talking over one another and finishing each other’s thoughts.

“One of the ingredients is cuteramox. It’s extremely rare and not found in North America. Nightshade has the same effects only not as severe.”

“What effects?” Carleigh asked.

“Paralysis and…” Luna slid a finger across her throat.

Harlow stopped typing. “Isn’t that counterproductive for reversing a curse?”

“It depends on what it’s mixed with as well as the spell used. If used incorrectly, well…” Luna slashed a finger across her throat again.

“Cuteramox… That sounds a bit like the fímndínúb Nekoma used to paralyze Grevolus.”

“Fondue? Spell that.” Harlow held her fingers above the keyboard, ready to type.

“Foondue,” Elle corrected, “and you won’t find it here. It’s a plant that grows on Evyndral. Nekoma brought it with him.”

“How potent is it?” Solara asked.

A fireball erupted from Elle’s hand, and Juni giggled. “Pwetty.”

Elle tossed it in the air, catching the flame. “By itself, not very, but if you mix it with the sap of an auderberry tree, it can cause minor paralysis, or it can cause complete numbness and stop someone’s heart, depending on the dose.”

Solara placed the open journal against her chest. “So, we either travel across the world to find cuteramox, or we ask Nekoma to fetch us some fímndínúb.”

“Where is he, by the way?” Luna asked.

Juni pointed a little finger toward the back of the house. “Koma fwimmin’.”

Luna laughed and poked Juni in the ribs. “Thank you, little cub. I’m going to speak with him. I’ll be right back.”

While they were waiting, Bayu and Gemi came downstairs. Carleigh left the office so she could meet the woman officially. When Juni saw her, he wiggled to be let down. Carleigh placed him on his feet and he ran to his aunt. “Gemi, up, pease.”

Gemi’s face broke into a radiant smile as she lifted the cub into her arms. He settled his head against her shoulder and sighed.

“Hello, Gemi. It’s so good to have you here safe with us.”

“Thank you.” Gemi bowed slightly.

“You and Bayu might have already discussed this, but how did Belinda know so much about you? If you don’t wish to speak on it, I understand.”

“I do not mind. They already knew about Bayu’s parents and sister from the Black Lotus members in Asia. Those same mages watched as I buried our family, then followed me home. They injected me with some type of potion, and I had no choice but to tell the truth. They demanded I tell them everything I knew about Bayu, then they put me on a plane to use me as bait once I was here. The one thing they did not get from me was information on Juni. I am so sorry to have brought this trouble to your family.”