Page 72 of Curse of Ancients

“Who’s watching the gym?” Carleigh asked her cousin.

“Tor and Bodi. Now that Luna is creating weapons out of jewelry using magic, she’s putting the twins out of a job. They flew over with Brynna and Travis and decided to stay for the summer.”

“Remind me who they are.” Bayu had met Brynna and Travis briefly when he went to Stone, Incorporated, but the other two he didn’t recall.

“Tor and Bodi are Brynna’s nephews. Her brother, Banyan, is the Norse Gargoyle King, and he’s mated to Urijah. Banyan and Urijah ran the armory back in my parents’ day, and they turned the forge over to the twins. There isn’t a lot of call for swords these days, so it seems they’re getting bored.”

“They were, but Sebastian called needing my help with something, so the twins are going to run the gym while I’m gone.”

“Does that mean you’ll be in Carlton for the fourth? Harlow and I still need your help with that project we’ve been working on.”

“Unless Bas sends me away, I’ll still be there.” When Juni rushed through the house, Jon knelt so he wasn’t towering over the cub. “Hey, Juni. You ready to swim?”

“Uh huh. You toss me?”

“I sure will.” Jon lifted Juni into his arms, and the two headed outside with Gemi and Kat trailing behind. Julian was already out there waiting.

As much as Bayu wanted to join them, he had responsibilities. He kissed his mate, then made his way to the library and tucked into the ancient scrolls. Carleigh brought him a sandwich when he didn’t stop for lunch, and when he finished the last word, he checked the time. It was a quarter past five. Time for him to join the others.

Where Rhoan was confused by what he’d read, Bayu had a full understanding of what was expected of him. The markings now made sense as each one held a unique power, and when combined, Bayu was a force of nature. He also understood why he felt grounded amongst the trees and why he preferred to go barefoot. Each Nuhuala was attuned to one of the elements, and the earth was his to call on. He couldn’t wait to go next door and try out his gifts. Bayu assumed fire was Rhoan’s element since he was a dragon.

Baekyo had told him not to worry about the other Nuhuala. He wondered what her element was, and since there were several, he assumed there was at least one more Nuhuala out in the world somewhere. They each had their own tasks, and according to the ancient text, the previous blessed beasts never worked together. That didn’t mean they couldn’t, otherwise, they wouldn’t be linked through their markings. One thing he was still unsure of was how his grandfather and the others on the Council of Shen came to be the authors of the scrolls. Maybe one day he would seek him out and ask. For now, Bayu was satisfied. The only thing left to do was to add his father’s scroll to the others, then he had to choose his own keeper. He wouldn’t ask that of Gemi. She had done enough in keeping them safe for Hariz. He would ask Carleigh for her advice on the matter.

Bayu placed the ancient documents in their closet for the time being, and he then changed into his swimsuit so he could play with Juni. When he went in search of his mate and son, he found them outside with several of Carleigh’s family. A party had ensued while Bayu was reading. He paused in the doorway, taking in the fun being had. He was thrilled to find Gemi in the shallow end with Carleigh, Juniper, Kat, Cailín, and two new females. A different female, this one a teen, sat under one of the umbrellas. Jon, Julian, and two more males Bayu hadn’t met, were in the deep end, and Juni was being tossed in the air, his joyous laughter mixing with the music coming from the speakers. Silas, who was normally around but not visible, was standing at the edge of the pool, and he too was smiling.

As though he were attuned to Bayu, Juni grabbed hold of Jon’s shoulders as soon as Bayu stepped outside and yelled, “Abah! Come fwim!”

Who could turn down such an offer? Bayu couldn’t. He pressed a kiss to Carleigh’s wet hair as he walked down the steps past her, and he had just enough time to put his hands up to catch Juni when Jon tossed him. The strangers were introduced as Dante and Isabelle, Connor’s parents, and Deklan, Christina, and Demi, their other kids. Deklan was the spitting image of his father, and the sisters favored Isabelle.

It wasn’t long after Bayu came outside that several more Clan members showed up. Harlow arrived with the witches and their parents. Violet walked through the gate with Elle, Anthony, and Nekoma, the latter two carrying large coolers. Now Bayu understood why the pool was so massive.

Luna pulled Bayu aside at one point, handing over a thin silver cuff which she had spelled to his specifications. She taught him the words to speak, and he was able to call on his weapon of choice should he ever need it. He thanked the witch, and then he showed his new jewelry to his mate.

Julian and Dante took over grilling duty, while Dominic passed around jugs of rum. If they weren’t shifters, he would have gotten them all drunk within minutes, but Bayu enjoyed the male’s enthusiasm.

With Juni safely with the other males, Bayu swam over to Gemi and leaned against the side of the pool. “Are you okay?” he whispered since most everyone in attendance was a shifter and could hear their conversation.

Gemi’s smile was sad. “I am, but I do wish Kiki had experienced this kind of family. She would have been right in the middle of the fun.”

“That she would, but I understand now why Abah kept her mostly secluded and sent Juni to live with you. His tasks were dangerous. He didn’t mention going after the Black Lotus, but how else would mama have known who attacked them?”

“I had that same thought. As much as I wish they were all alive, I wouldn’t begrudge you and Juni this amazing family. I have been on my own for such a long time, and now I am surrounded by so much goodness. My soul isn’t healed, but it is well on its way.”

“Mine too, Auntie. Mine too.”

Chapter 25

Bayu and Rhoan had met up a few days ago to talk about being Nuhuala, and Carleigh informed Cailín and Harlow that their mates would be at her house if they wanted to drop by for a visit. Harlow declined stating she had too much work to do before taking off for Carlton, but Cailín had shown up. Thran all but ignored her, and Carleigh tried to tell her that fae didn’t have fated mates, so he had no idea what he meant to Cailín. She left with her heart shredded, and that was when she decided she was due a long vacation.

Carleigh and Bayu continued getting closer. They made love most nights, taking advantage of having help with Juni. On the nights they merely held one another, Bayu shared what each of his markings meant. He said he doubted Baekyo would mind considering she could see them. When he asked Carleigh who she thought he should choose as keeper of the ancient documents, Carleigh thought long and hard about it. There were so many Clanmates who would happily agree to the task. They discussed each person at length, but in the end, they chose Nekoma. The fae had been instrumental in keeping Bayu safe. He would live as long or longer than Bayu, and he could hide the scrolls on Evyndral if he so chose. When they asked if he would be the keeper, Nekoma placed a fist over his heart, bowed his head, and said he would be honored.

The members of the Council of Shen were still a mystery. As it turned out, the Hideki Sato who was on the Council was not Bayu’s grandfather. Julian had found Hideki and Kaori Sato in a village over five hundred miles south of where Hariz’s scroll had been left in the shack. Bayu contacted his grandparents and told them of their daughter’s passing. They wanted to travel to Anjailang to pay their respects, but Bayu had been honest of how Wahida was slain and told them it was too dangerous. He promised that once the Black Lotus was out of the picture, he would let them know.

Instead of flying in the new family jet, Carleigh and her little family drove to Carlton. Her parents did take the jet to New York to spend the fourth with some of the older Gargoyles. Juniper was also going, but she rode up with Jon. Jon still didn’t know why Sebastian wanted him to hand off the gym for the next month or so, but when the King called, the Clan answered. Cailín, who was also taking a leave of absence from work, rode with Harlow. Carleigh had no doubt the two were commiserating about having mates who lived in a different realm.

With there being no sign of the Black Lotus, they released Silas from his guard duties but told him he could come visit Juni any time he wanted. Instead of going with them to West Virginia, Silas took advantage of a few days off and flew with Steven and Carleigh’s parents to New York.

During the drive to Carlton, Carleigh explained who all would be at the lodge, and she even brought out a chart, which made Bayu laugh. He had told her after the impromptu celebration he needed one. Most everyone wasn’t arriving until the fourth, but Carleigh wanted time to explore the town. She and Bayu had spoken more than once about moving, and they needed to see what property was available. She wanted plenty of land where they could build a house large enough for them, Juni, Gemi, and any future kids they might have. Since Sebastian had been buying up smaller houses for family to use when they visited, and it was possible Gemi might want a place of her own down the road. If so, she could choose one of those.