Chapter 10
Carleigh didn’t have a good feeling about Gemi’s text. She didn’t have to wait long to know her gut had been correct.
“She found Kiki.” Bayu tapped the phone against his forehead before placing it on the island.
“She was drained of her blood, then tossed out like…” His voice cracked.
“Like garbage in the forest close to my parents’ house.
The only positive is Gemi found Kiki before anyone else saw her body or any animals got to her.
If not, she would have had to deal with the police.
Gemi now has to bury Kiki and somehow hide the fact that all three are dead. ”
Carleigh pulled her mate into a hug. Fucking Black Lotus motherfuckers.
She was going to find them and kill them all.
She held Bayu, giving him time to come to terms with his sister’s death.
Her heart broke for him. How much more did he have to endure at the hands of the evil mages?
And Baekyo? She had a few words for the god too.
When Bayu stepped back, he untucked his shirt and wiped his face with the hem. “Sorry for that.”
“No. You do not apologize for grieving your sister. You said Gemi was burying Kiki. Did she already bury your parents?”
“Nuhuala turn to dust upon their passing. That much I do know. Gemi has already gathered my father’s remains and put them in the ground alongside my mother.”
Carleigh once again hugged her mate to her, wishing they had completed the bond so she could push her energy into him.
Bayu didn’t hug her back, but that was okay.
In the span of four days, he’d lost so much, including his Tiger.
There was nothing she could do to bring his parents or sister back, but she sure as hell was going to figure out how to make him whole again.
While she was drawing the symbols, she’d been texting with the witches.
Luna, Solara, and their mom, Lilly, were scouring every magical spell they could get their hands on.
Without knowing the curse, it would be next to impossible to reverse it, so it was imperative they located the Black Lotus.
“If Gemi buried your father without contacting the authorities, what happens to his money? How is it transferred to you?”
“I don’t know. I assume Gemi will handle that as well.”
“If she doesn’t know, I’ll take care of it, but I’ll need the bank information.”
“You can do that? Won’t the bank get suspicious?”
“I can do it and wipe the account like it was never there. I’m going to contact Lydia.
She’s our archivist, and she’ll know who the Gargoyles are in that part of the world, if any.
If not, we’ll gather a group together to send over there to assist Gemi in whatever way she needs.
If she wants to search for the Black Lotus, we will help.
If she doesn’t, she’s welcome to come stay here, and we’ll begin looking ourselves. ”
Carleigh kissed Bayu’s cheek and released her hold on him.
She returned to the kitchen island where she sent Lydia an encrypted email explaining everything.
She copied Sebastian and Dakota as well.
With them being King and Queen, they would want to know the severity of Bayu’s plight and what Carleigh was asking from their Clan.
Several stuffed animals came flying from the doorway, and Juni giggled until he saw Bayu. “Bye-bye? Why you cwy?”
Bayu sat on the floor and pulled Juni onto his lap, hugging the boy to his chest, while staring up at Carleigh. Gemi hadn’t shared a lot, so Bayu probably had no idea what to tell the child. Before he could say anything, Kat and Juniper joined them.
They noticed Bayu’s tear-streaked face, but instead of letting them ask what was wrong, Carleigh said, “We need to think about supper.” Juni had eaten lunch, but no one else had stopped long enough to join him.
“I’ll do that now.” Juniper opened the fridge. She listed off several meals she could make with what Carleigh had on hand. Carleigh didn’t care, so she kept her opinion to herself. Kat asked Bayu for his preference just as Carleigh’s computer chimed with a notification from Harlow.
“I found a reference to Shen as in the Council of Shen. It is part of the Chinese Tiger constellation which correlates to Connor’s drawing.
Your dad is scanning Bayu’s designs, while I’m doing a deep dive on the Black Lotus.
I set up alerts for any mention of them.
We need copies of the pages from the journal.
Bayu stated only the Nuhuala can read them, but if one of the council members wrote the journal, it’s possible it’s a recorded language. ”
Carleigh responded, copying her dad on the email, telling them both about Gemi finding Kiki’s body close to Bayu’s parents’ house.
He had already given them the exact coordinates of their property, so that would narrow their search.
“Once I finish with the drawings, I’ll begin making copies of the journal. ”
Julian responded, “I can start on that in between scanning in the designs. The quicker we get everything loaded, the better.”
A little presence appeared at Carleigh’s side, and she smiled down at a sleepy Juni who held his arms up. “Up, pease.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll take him.” Bayu scrubbed a hand down his face. Her mate was miserable, and Carleigh had no idea how to help other than what she was doing with her computer.
“No! Carwee.” Juni’s bottom lip jutted out, and Carleigh did not want the boy to start crying. She leaned down and lifted him onto her lap. He laid his head on her chest and closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.
“It’s fine. My hand needs a break from drawing.
” Carleigh pressed a kiss to Juni’s hair.
“His life has been uprooted. He’s in a house full of strangers.
If he wants me to hold him, I’m gonna hold him.
” Carleigh reached out for Bayu’s hand. When he took hers, she pulled him closer.
“Your life has been uprooted. You’re in a house full of strangers.
If you want me to hold you, I’m gonna hold you too, my tiger.
I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure the three of us come out the other side of this mess happy and whole. ”
Kat, who was helping Juniper cook supper, sniffled. Juniper glanced over at Carleigh, smiling softly while rubbing their mother’s back. Katherine had been through hell and back when she and Julian first got together. She knew what sacrifice was, and she had taught her daughters well.
Julian rushed into the kitchen, not stopping until he was beside his mate. He didn’t have to ask what was wrong since he could hear their conversations. While hugging Kat, he said to Bayu, “We’re all going to make sure that happens.”
An alert sounded on Carleigh’s phone. “The witches are here. June, you might want to double up on supper.”
“On it.” Juniper opened the fridge, pulling out more food to cook.
Carleigh eased off the stool, careful not to wake Juni, and headed to the side door after cupping Bayu’s cheek. She stepped outside, waiting for the twins and Lilly to park. Solara had been spending more time in Atlanta since Elle had become their apprentice. It was good to see the quieter sister.
Lilly froze upon seeing Juni in Carleigh’s arms, placing both hands on her chest. “Oh, my. That one is special.”
Luna, wearing her usual flowing skirt, reached her first and bent down to see Juni’s face. At least she tried to. He had Harry tucked close. “I want one,” she whispered.
Solara, dressed in jean shorts and a Jupiter Madness T-shirt, joined her twin. “You have all the kids, and I’ll babysit.”
“Where’s Dom?” The twins’ dad, who dressed and spoke like a pirate, was rarely far from his mate.
“This is not a meeting that calls for rum, so he’s at home gathering Goyles to help Gemi. He’s been a little antsy of late, and he is ready for a mission.” Luna ran a finger along Juni’s cheek. “Seriously, I want one. Mom was right. This little one is special.”
“Let’s get inside, girls.” Lilly held the door open for them, and everyone trundled through.
Once again, Lilly froze. This time, it was when she noticed Bayu.
“Oh, my dear.” Lilly closed the distance between them and placed her hands on his shoulders.
Bayu visibly relaxed under her touch. “I have never encountered an aura as pure as yours, and I’ve met Elledan.
” Lilly briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them, she gifted him with a smile. “Your tiger is still in there.”
“Thank you…?”
“Lilly. These are my daughters, Luna and Solara.” She pointed out which one was which as she named them.
Carleigh had mentioned them but hadn’t explained what they looked like.
If they didn’t dress differently, it was hard for strangers to tell them apart.
Bayu would quickly come to know them by their demeanor.
Lilly placed an arm around his shoulder and led him to the living room.
Carleigh and the twins followed. Carleigh sat in her recliner since it rocked and set it in motion to keep Juni asleep.
Lilly gestured to the sofa, and Bayu sat with Lilly next to him.
The twins stood on either side of Carleigh.
Lilly took Bayu’s hand without asking, but he didn’t seem to mind.
Lilly’s pure essence had that effect on everyone.
“I am afraid we don’t have good news. Since this is blood magic, it will take blood magic to counteract the curse.
Without knowing what the curse was, it’s a long shot we’ll be able to figure it out quickly. ”
“But you do think you can?” Carleigh asked.
“Yes, with Nekoma’s help. He is most knowledgeable in dark magics. He has gone to Evyndral to visit his mother and seek her counsel. He should return in the next couple of days.”
“Please remind me who Nekoma is,” Bayu said.