Chapter 1 #2
Bayu’s father had been blessed by the spirit god Baekyo, having taken on the mantle of Nuhuala when his own father passed away.
According to his father, their powers were imprinted on their skin in elaborate designs, and the legends were written in ancient scrolls only the Nuhuala could read.
Bayu had never seen the family scrolls. He had no idea where they were hidden.
Only the Nuhuala and the trusted keeper were aware of their location.
A divine marking on the inside of his left forearm was proof that Bayu was the firstborn child.
Now that Bayu was covered with the ancient designs, he knew in his heart his father was gone, and that meant he now possessed the spirit of Baekyo.
Bayu wasn’t ready. He didn’t know anything about being a spirit warrior.
Sure, he would learn once the ancient scrolls were passed on to him, but he didn’t want the responsibility. Not yet.
After looking at each photo in the box, he returned it to its hiding place and climbed to his feet.
Bayu went into his bathroom and removed his shirt.
The silver markings were stark against his olive skin.
He stared at each one in the mirror, but until he had the ancient scrolls, Bayu would have no idea what any of them meant.
If he were now the Nuhuala, why couldn’t he read them?
Why were the meanings kept from him? When he raised his gaze to his face, Bayu froze.
His once brown eyes were now the crystal blue of his animal’s.
He should have known this would happen, as his father’s eyes had been the same color.
Had Grace noticed before he ran out of the office?
If so, he couldn’t imagine what she thought.
Tiger pushed warmth through their bond, and Bayu appreciated it.
He left his shirt where it was and padded back to his bedroom where he toed off his shoes since he preferred being barefoot.
He then retreated to the kitchen and turned on the kettle to make a cup of tea.
While the water was heating, Bayu opened the cabinet where he kept his vast selection of flavors and chose a chamomile and lavender blend.
He added the tea to the filter of his glass teapot, and when the water was the correct temperature, poured it over the loose leaves.
He did this while silently willing his phone to ring.
Gemi was his father’s younger sister, and Bayu missed her almost as much as he did his parents and Kiki.
Last he knew, Gemi lived close enough to get from her home to theirs in a matter of minutes, but that could have changed since Bayu had moved away.
He was pouring the steeped tea into a porcelain cup when his phone beeped.
Bayu eased the glass pot on the table, his hands shaking.
When he snatched up the phone and opened the message, his heart sank.
Gemi: Hire a bodyguard. I will reach out as soon as I can.
Hire a bodyguard? Bayu was a shifter. He didn’t need someone to watch over him. There must be something about his father’s death she couldn’t relay, so he agreed.
Bayu: I understand.
He wanted to tell her how sorry he was that she’d lost her brother, but communication was to be kept to a minimum.
Bayu slumped against the counter. It was true.
Father was dead, and Bayu was now the Nuhuala.
He never dreamed this day would come as quickly as it had.
His father was almost one hundred-fifty when his own father died.
His heart ached, and he couldn’t imagine the pain his mother was feeling from losing her husband and mate.
And Kiki adored their father. She, too, had to be beside herself.
Forgetting his tea, Bayu went to his home office and sat in front of his computer.
He woke up the screen, then typed bodyguards in the search engine.
Steele Securities was the top listing, and it also had the highest ranking in customer satisfaction.
He clicked on their website, and after reading through their mission statement and owner bio, he checked their address.
It seemed Baekyo was already looking out for him.
They were in the same building as his office.
He tugged his phone from his back pocket and dialed the number.
His thumb hovered over the send button. What was he going to tell them as the reason he needed protection?
He couldn’t admit the truth. No, but he could give them a half version.
Pressing send, Bayu stood and paced his office.
“Steele Securities, this is Tabitha Stone.”
“Miss Stone, I would like to make an appointment to discuss hiring a bodyguard.”
“May I have your name, please?”
Bayu didn’t know what happened to Hariz. Had he been in an accident? Was he murdered? Should he even be speaking on the phone? “Brandon Tanner,” he lied.
“Are you available to come to our office, or would you rather we meet you at your home?”
“I would prefer to meet here. My apartment building is only a few blocks from your office.”
Bayu could hear typing in the background. “My partner is available at eleven unless you feel you need to meet sooner.”
Bayu could look after himself for an hour. “Eleven o’clock is sufficient.” He gave Tabitha his address. “I appreciate this.”
“We’ll do everything within our power to keep you safe. We’ll see you soon.”
Bayu had an hour until his life changed once more.
It had been a long time since he had lived in close quarters with someone, but maybe having company would do his heart good.
Bayu would still mourn his father, but this way, he would have someone to talk to about the wonderful man who raised Bayu.
He tucked his phone back in his pocket and returned to the kitchen.
He poured his now cold tea into a thick mug and zapped it in the microwave before returning it to the thinner cup.
It truly didn’t matter how he drank it, but the porcelain reminded him of his mother.
Bayu carried it to the living room and eased down onto the sofa, sipping and staring at the wall.
He couldn’t help but wonder at the cause of Hariz’s death.
Did it matter? Hariz didn’t hide from the world.
He lived freely and had since he moved away from his parents’ home at eighteen.
Bayu didn’t know what tasks were required of his father as Nuhuala.
The only thing his father told him was the history of the firstborn in their family and that they were blessed by Baekyo.
That he was the Nuhuala, and one day, Bayu would take over the title and responsibilities.
He often thought the lack of knowledge was a bad thing and that when he had a child, he would explain everything.
Then again, his father must have had a reason for leaving Bayu in the dark.
Bayu drained his cup and placed it on the end table before scrubbing his hands down his face.
He wouldn’t be able to go to the office with a bodyguard.
He could work from home and did several days a week, but what would he tell his boss?
He could ask for a leave of absence, or he could resign his position.
Maybe that would be best considering his new responsibilities.
Bayu would want to study the scrolls, if and when he received them.
He would need to understand the markings on his body.
That would need to be his focus for the next however long it took until he was comfortable.
Yes, resigning would be the best course.
Since he had time before Miss Stone’s partner arrived, Bayu rose and went to his office where he typed out a letter of resignation.
The doorbell rang at promptly eleven o’clock, and Bayu left the letter unsent.
He strode through the apartment and peered through the peephole.
A massive blond man stood there, and after a few seconds, he said, “Mr. Tanner, it’s Major Lazlo from Steele Securities.
You spoke with my partner, Tabitha Stone. ”
Bayu unlocked the door, and when he opened it, Tiger growled. Major’s eyes widened, and he held his hands in front of him. “I mean you no harm.”
“What are you?” Bayu asked, able to sense “other” within the man.
“Maybe we can discuss that inside where we have a bit of privacy?”
Bayu waited to see what Tiger was going to do, but if he were going to come forth, it would be best done behind closed doors.
“Please, come in.” Bayu stepped back, allowing the other male entrance.
Major continued until he was a few feet away, while Bayu remained close to the door.
At least that was the plan until Tiger decided otherwise.