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.”
Bayu felt he could tell the Gryphon the truth, considering.
“First off, my name is Bayu Tan.” He explained who his father was, or had been, and how Bayu had left home at eighteen being firstborn.
“Earlier today, I was visiting a local architect’s office to speak with them about building a house for me.
I felt a tingle, and when I looked down, the markings of the Nuhuala had transferred to my skin.
That only happens when the previous Nuhuala has passed on.
” Bayu held his left arm out and ran his fingers over the designs there.
“I am the only one who can see them, and until the ancient scrolls are in my possession, I will not be able to decipher their meaning. With the Nuhuala being a sacred beast, there is much secrecy. Using a burner phone, I texted my aunt, as she is the only one in my family I am allowed to have contact with. Using code, I told her I now have the markings, and I assume she went to check on my father, her brother. She texted back and demanded I get a bodyguard, stating she would reach out as soon as she could.”
“I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Do you plan to return to Anjailang? Where exactly is that? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It would surprise me if you had. Anjailang is a small island in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Brunei.”
“Wait, you said sacred beast. Should I bow?”
Bayu dipped his head to hide his amusement.
“No bowing, please, and no, I will not return. The firstborn moves away at eighteen, somewhere far from home, finds a mate, and starts a family to ensure the bloodline continues. I have been in the States for eleven years. For the first few, I moved around until I found the place that felt right. Atlanta was that place, though I don’t know why.
I’m assuming Baekyo, the spirit god, had something to do with that.
I’ve lived in this apartment since I arrived, but Tiger has been getting listless, so I purchased twenty-two acres in Ellenwood, where I plan to build a house. ”
“You mentioned an architect. That wouldn’t happen to be Sebastian Stone, would it?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“I didn’t, but Stone, Incorporated is the best around.
Not only that, but Sebastian is now the Gargoyle King, like his father before him.
He is also Tabitha’s cousin. I do believe your Baekyo is watching over you.
And speaking of which, all of our security specialists are shifters, so you will not have to hide your true nature from them. ”
Bayu was overwhelmed with the knowledge of so many others who weren’t human. He would have thought it was a coincidence he found them in Atlanta, but as Major mentioned, Baekyo most likely had guided him to the city where he would have the help he needed.
“I appreciate that. I am not sure how long I will need your services. Money isn’t an issue, but I do wonder if I should remain here in this apartment.”
“We have several safehouses available, and until your aunt contacts you, I would suggest you allow us to hide you at one of them. There is one not too far away that is situated on several acres, and that would allow your tiger a chance to shift and stretch his legs.” Tiger rumbled in agreement, and Major chuckled.
“My beast understands all too well the need to come out every once in a while. Being a Gryphon, I can shift into either my Lion or my Eagle with little room, but my Gryphon is almost ten feet tall, so it’s not often he can come out to play. ”
Bayu couldn’t imagine what that would look like. He had seen drawings of the mythical beast, but to meet one was surreal, and he now knew they weren’t mythical but real. “A safehouse would be appreciated. Do I need to sign a contract? And when would we leave? I need to pack.”
“We can move as soon as you gather whatever you want to take. The safehouses remain ready for immediate use. As for a contract, we can handle the paperwork once you’re safely transferred. I can call Tabitha and have her prepare the contract and tell her our plan while you pack.”
“Very well.” Bayu gestured to the kitchen. “Please, help yourself to a drink or anything in the refrigerator. I’m afraid some of the food will spoil while I’m away.”
“Do you have a cooler? We can pack the perishables to take with us. The safehouse is stocked with basics, and we can get anything you need once you’re settled.”
“There’s a small cooler in the pantry.”
“I’ll take care of that while I’m calling Tabitha.”
“Thank you, Major.” Bayu gave a slight bow, then retreated to his bedroom to pack his clothes and toiletries.
Once that was done, he gathered his cell phone, the burner, his e-reader, computer, and charging cords.
He then went to his office and printed the resignation letter that included all the information they would need to take over his accounts.
Since Steele Securities was in the same building, he would ask Major to drop it off to his boss.
Lastly, Bayu pulled his beloved Katana sword from the wall.
He may be hiring a bodyguard, but he wasn’t without skills.
After stowing the weapon in its carrying case, he met Major in the living room.
Major gathered his tattered clothes and the cooler, while Bayu carried his belongings, and they took the elevator to the bottom floor.
Idling at the curb was a blacked-out SUV.
Another male as large as Major helped put Bayu’s things in the hatch, and Tiger bristled at his nearness but otherwise didn’t threaten to emerge.
Major opened the back passenger door, and once Bayu was seated, he got into the front while the other male slid into the driver’s seat.
“Bayu Tan, this is Silas Mayfield. He’ll be your protection. Silas, Bayu is a white tiger shifter.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Tan.”
“Please, call me Bayu.”
Major explained the reason Bayu needed a bodyguard.
The male nodded in all the right places as he drove out of the city.
When Major said the safehouse was close, he wasn’t kidding.
Even with the maddening Atlanta traffic, they arrived in under an hour.
The large vehicle bumped along a pitted gravel driveway.
When Silas parked, Major gestured toward the house.
“The outside isn’t much to look at, but that’s on purpose.
It has been fortified structurally, and the inside is comfortable.
There are alarms on all doors and windows, and unless you’ve been added to the biometric scanner, you cannot enter. ”
Bayu stepped out of the vehicle, inhaling deeply.
The property was surrounded by trees, but there was something sweet growing nearby.
Major had said there was room for Tiger to play, so he assumed he wouldn’t be required to remain inside twenty-four seven.
Silas helped Major gather all the bags from the back of the vehicle, and the three males made their way to the front porch.
Major opened a panel and pressed his palm to the reader.
The locks slid back allowing them entrance.
Major hadn’t been wrong about the interior.
It was furnished with plenty of comfortable-looking furniture, a large TV was nestled into a shelving unit that covered most of the wall, and a colorful rug rested beneath the coffee table.
“I’ll show you where the bedrooms are.” Silas led the way up the staircase. At the top, he gestured to all the doors. “Pick any room you want. They’re all basically the same except for the view. Each has its own bathroom attached.”
“Which one did you want?” Bayu offered.
“I’ll be in the room downstairs. Once you’ve chosen, please hold off unpacking until after Major leaves. For now, he’d like to go over the contract with you.”