Chapter 7 #2
Bayu opened the lid. Instead of there being folded papers or an actual scroll, there was a leather-bound journal inside.
If the papers were as old as Bayu assumed, it was possible his father or grandfather had transcribed the writings.
He ran a finger across the cover, and a faint light glowed at the connection.
“Ooh,” Juni cooed, leaning across Bayu’s arm. “Pwetty.”
“Did you see the pretty light?”
“Uh huh.” Juni bounced the tiger on his lap.
Bayu opened the journal. The first page read: The Council of Shen.
He turned to the next page and began reading.
The first few passages told of the council’s formation and listed its members, although the names were written in a language he didn’t understand.
The nine members had come together to write the sacred missive for the Nuhuala.
He flipped to the middle of the journal, curious as to what was written, but the words were in that same obscure language.
He must have missed something by skipping ahead, so he closed the journal and replaced it inside the box, returning it to the canvas bag.
There would be time to look at the documents later when he could give them all of his attention.
A file folder was also included among Juni’s clothes, so Bayu removed it to find Juni’s birth certificate and medical records.
What Bayu found odd was that he was listed as Juni’s father while Gemi’s name was in the mother’s space.
Maybe that was another layer of protection for the boy?
Bayu scanned the form. Juni was three, and his birthday was October tenth, just two days after Bayu’s own birthday.
Dammit, why couldn’t Gemi have given him ten minutes to discuss everything instead of running off?
Also included was a letter. In it, Gemi gave more detail into what she’d found at his parents’ house as well as why Juni had been with her.
Then she listed the boy’s likes and dislikes, his sleeping schedule, how he had recently begun using the potty, but given the circumstances, she’d put a pullup diaper on him, just in case.
After scanning the rest of the information, he placed it back in the folder and returned the folder to the bag.
The rest of the drive, Bayu focused on Juni, who was chattering to his plushy.
When they arrived at the airport, Silas got out first and checked the area.
Carleigh came around to Bayu’s door and took the bag so he could help Juni out.
Celeste was waiting for them, and they all made their way back to the jet.
Bayu lifted Juni into his arms and carried him up the stairs behind Carleigh.
Celeste was next with Silas bringing up the rear.
Carleigh placed the bag in a storage compartment, while Bayu got Juni seated on the sofa.
Carleigh sat on the other side of the boy.
Once Celeste had the door locked, she smiled at Juni. “This is a surprise.”
Bayu explained succinctly what Gemi told them. “I’m sorry to be such a burden. If Cruz needs more time, or if we need to stop somewhere to sleep, I’ll pay to get us all a room.”
Celeste stood and placed her hand on Bayu’s cheek.
“You are not a burden. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss.
Cruz and I are here for anything you and Juni need.
We are next in line. Once we’re in the air…
Well, you know the drill.” Celeste brushed Juni’s hair off his forehead before heading to the cockpit.
“Okay, Juni. We are going for a ride. It’s going to get a little loud, and your tummy might feel funny when we take off, but it’ll be fun.”
Juni hugged his tiger to his chest and leaned closer to Carleigh.
As soon as the plane began moving, Juni’s eyes widened, and he looked around.
Once Cruz started down the runway, picking up speed, Juni climbed in Carleigh’s lap and shoved his face in her neck.
She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his hair.
When the plane left the ground, gone was the little boy, and in his place was a tiny, solid white tiger cub.
Carleigh squeaked, and Juni mewed loudly.
Silas, who had taken the seat across from them, grinned. “Never seen anything cuter.”
Carleigh looked down at the cub, then over to Bayu. “Did you know that would happen?”
Bayu reached out and ran a hand down Juni’s fluffy back. “It was a possibility. I don’t remember the first time I shifted.”
Carleigh snuggled Juni closer, pressing her face to his neck before placing him on her lap.
He mewed again before curling up. Within seconds, a rumble sounded from his chest, and he yawned, his tiny tongue rolling out between sharp teeth, then back in.
Carleigh ghosted her fingers over his fur, rubbing between his ears.
She turned to Bayu and whispered, “I think I’m in love.
” Considering they were mates, that warmed his heart since he was now responsible for the toddler.
Carleigh hadn’t asked for a ready-made family, but she got one with the Tan brothers.
“Is your tiger solid white too?”
“No. I have black stripes. Juni’s stripes will come in the older he gets.”
When Celeste came out of the cockpit, she stopped short upon seeing a cub instead of a boy. She placed her hand over her heart, smiling. “All babies are precious, but he is something else. I wasn’t prepared for a toddler, but I do have milk and juice.”
Juni shifted to his skin, scrambling to sit up. “Juice, pease.”
Celeste chuckled. “You want juice and peas?”
“Peas yuck.”
“Were you saying juice please?” she asked.
Juni nodded his head. “Uh huh.”
Since Juni was safe with Carleigh, Bayu stood. “There is a cup with a lid in his bag.” After retrieving the cup, he handed it over to Celeste. When she brought it back filled with apple juice, Juni gently took it from her.
“Tank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Celeste sat across from them next to Silas who hadn’t stopped staring at the toddler. “I’m surprised he speaks such good English, or any English for that matter.”
“Everyone on Anjailang Island learns both English and Malay. Even if they didn’t, I believe my aunt was preparing for this scenario.”
“You think she knew you would have to take your brother?” Silas asked.
“Why else would she have listed me as his father on the birth certificate? Then again, if the Black Lotus think he’s my child, he’ll be in danger if they manage to capture me.”
“That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it.” Carleigh brushed her hand through Juni’s hair. “I will find them. Somehow. I won’t stop until I find every single one of them and end them.”
“How? I don’t know who they are or how they got close enough to my father to… you know.”
“No one stays completely hidden. I’ll do what I do best and that’s scour the internet for any mention of them.” Carleigh went still, and her next words were chilling. “Bayu, my Gargoyle can no longer reach Tiger.”