Chapter 17 #2
“I’ll handle that too. You and Bayu need to get the curse removed.” Julian gestured toward the door. “Let’s get a move on. We all have things to do, and I’m sure Tabby wants to make sure Major really is okay.”
“Damn right I do.” Tabitha leaned her head against Major’s. “Please close the door on your way out.”
They didn’t need any further prodding to leave the mates alone. Anthony and Elle were waiting in the kitchen with Solara. Carleigh approached her cousin and his mate, tugging them into a small group hug. “Thank you both for your help. We’re headed home to work on the counter curse.”
Elle’s eyes widened, and she looked up at Anthony. “Can we go with them? I would love to help.”
Anthony tapped Elle on the nose. “Absolutely. I’d rather not be here while Tabby assures herself Major is fine. We’re going to burn the sheets. Hell, I might burn the whole fuckin’ bed.” Anthony shivered.
Elle giggled and clapped her hands before sobering and turning to the twins. “Is that okay? I didn’t mean to invite myself.”
“Of course it is. Let’s go.” Luna made a circling motion with her finger, and everyone filed out of the house.
Bayu and Carleigh rode with the twins, and Anthony and Elle followed with Julian and Silas in their vehicle.
During the short ride, Luna gushed about Juni, and her twin listened silently.
It was amazing how different the females were in attitude while appearing exactly alike on the outside.
When Luna stopped talking for a second, Carleigh asked, “Hey, Luna. Can you make Bayu a bracelet for his katana?”
“Sure. I just need to know what you want it to look like. I doubt you want bangles like we wear. I can make it a simple silver cuff, or if you prefer something thinner, I can do that too.”
“Does it have to be silver?” Bayu asked. “Not that I mind; I’m merely curious.”
“No, but I’ve found silver to be the easiest to work with. If you’ll find a picture of the type of bracelet you want, I’ll make it as soon as we remove the curse.”
Solara pulled up to Carleigh’s gate and rolled down her window.
She spoke words in a language Bayu didn’t understand, and the gate opened.
Carleigh had texted Juniper that they were on their way, and there waiting on the porch were Juni, Juniper, and Katherine.
Juni was bouncing on his feet while Kat kept him from running toward the car.
As soon as Solara turned the motor off, Kat released the boy, and he carefully toddled down the steps, holding on to the railing.
As soon as his feet hit the ground, he took off.
It didn’t surprise Bayu that Juni found Carleigh first. The cub flew at her legs, and she picked him up, tossing him in the air, causing massive giggles to erupt from his chest.
“Carwee!”
“Juni!”
“Gemi is hewe.”
“Well, let’s go see her.” Carleigh waited on Bayu, and together, they all made their way inside except for Silas. He remained outside, guarding the front.
“We put Gemi in the room next to Juni’s,” Katherine said with Julian’s arm around her shoulder. “She had been roughed up when Nekoma got to her, but she assured us that she only needed to rest after having a shower.”
In the back of his mind, Bayu had the fear she might not be the real Gemi, but he doubted Nekoma would have brought her around Juni if he wasn’t sure.
Still, he wanted to check for himself. “I need to speak with her. Luna, the journal is in the office on the desk. Harlow can show you. If you want to look it over while I check on my aunt, I would appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Luna and Solara headed toward the office.
Carleigh arched a brow, and Bayu ran a finger down Juni’s cheek. “Just making sure she’s the real Gemi.”
She nodded and bounced Juni on her hip. “We’ll be right here.”
Bayu strode up the staircase and dropped the katana off in their bedroom.
Then he stepped across the hall, knocking gently on the only closed door, and turned the knob.
Gemi was curled on her side, her eyes open.
When he entered the room, she sat up and began apologizing in their native tongue.
Bayu let her get it all out before closing the distance and standing beside the bed.
Something in her voice convinced him she was who she appeared to be – family.
“No apologies needed, Auntie. The Black Lotus are vicious. We were able to take out a number of their members earlier.”
“And the rest of them?”
“There’s a plan for them too. At least the ones who are local.
I have no idea how many there are around the world, but for now, we will focus on those we know of.
Gemi, I do not want you traveling back to Anjailang Island.
I would request you remain here with us.
There is much we still need to discuss.”
Gemi bowed her head. “I understand. I will not be a burden. I will help with Juni, if he allows it.”
“You could never be a burden, and why wouldn’t Juni allow it? Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
Gemi’s eyes glistened with tears. “No, but he greeted me briefly before rushing back to the one called Katherine.”
“I do not know what your life together was like, but if it was anything akin to the way I was raised, you lived simply. That is not a bad thing. I know you loved him well, just as my parents loved me, but he is surrounded by a new family who dotes on him and gives him anything he wants. Did you see his bedroom?” Gemi shook her head.
“Come with me.” Bayu held out his hand, and Gemi allowed him to help her off the bed.
He led her next door. “After you handed Juni off to us, we drove straight back to the airport to return here. Carleigh made one phone call, and by the time we arrived, his family had prepared this room for a child they had never met. The mural was painted by a cousin of theirs. Juniper and another cousin shopped for his clothes and bedding. Their Clan is large. One that is giving and protective. You are now part of that since Carleigh is my mate.”
Bayu took Gemi’s hand. “Juni was already a sweet child before he came here, and that is due to how you raised him. You taught him two languages. You also taught him to swim. He is a wonderful, spirited being, all thanks to you, and for that, I am grateful. Do not discount what you mean to him or me. And please do not feel the need to hide in your bedroom. Carleigh’s parents moved away recently and will eventually go back home.
Juniper has a job that takes her out of the country often.
Carleigh is important to the Clan in that she looks out for them using her computer skills.
And once the curse is removed, I will have my Nuhuala duties to tend to.
We will need you to help with Juni, but only if that is your wish.
I do not want it to sound like I only want you here to be his nanny.
I – we – want you here because you are family. ”
“And Carliegh’s parents? Will I meet them?”
“You met her mother, Katherine. Julian, her father, was with us when we fought the Black Lotus. He is downstairs.”
“Katherine is Carleigh’s mother? She doesn’t look that much older than your female.”
“Carleigh’s Clan are Gargoyle shifters. There is something in the toxin of their mating bite that stops the aging process.
I will never look older than I do in this moment, just as Carleigh will always appear to be twenty-six.
And just so you are aware, there are other types of shifters like Gryphons, wolves, foxes, cheetahs, lions, polar bears, and even dragons.
Then there are the fae like Nekoma. Now they have us, the white tigers.
It is fascinating to think there are so many different types of beings walking among humans.
We can chat more on that later. I am ready to speak with the witches and see if they can remove the curse.
I would love it if you came downstairs and got to know your new family. ”
“Do you think they would let me help with supper?”
“I have no doubt.” As Bayu led his aunt downstairs, he prayed to Baekyo that Gemi would find some peace in being surrounded by her new family.