Chapter 22 #2
His parents’ and sister’s likenesses evaporated. He stood staring after they were gone until a little hand took one of Bayu’s and a feminine one took the other. He expected it to be Gemi, but it was Carleigh. She was leaning over him, her brow furrowed.
“Bad dream?” she asked.
It was then that Bayu realized he was now awake. His face was wet, and Carleigh brushed the tears off with her thumbs.
“No. It was… I’ll tell you about it in the morning.”
Juni snuggled into Bayu’s side, Harry tucked against his chest. He let out a cub-sized sigh and closed his eyes.
Carleigh pressed against his other side and wrapped her arm around both of them.
He kissed her hair and closed his eyes. Bayu’s heart was heavy having lost his parents and sister, but recalling those moments he had with them to say goodbye helped.
He thanked Baekyo for the gift and promised to live up to the trust his god placed in him.
When Bayu woke next, he was alone. He stretched his arms overhead, then turned on his side. It was after ten. He couldn’t remember ever sleeping that late.
The witches are here.
Thank you, Tiger.
Bayu rolled off the bed and pulled the bedding up, setting the pillows on top of the comforter.
His stomach rumbled, but he didn’t rush downstairs to eat.
Bayu took a shower and dressed, not bothering to fix his hair.
Most likely, he would end up in the swimming pool with Juni.
When he reached the living room, it was filled with his aunt, three witches, and one anxious mate.
Bayu bowed slightly. “Ladies. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
Lilly approached, and as per usual, she placed her hands on his shoulders. He now knew she was sending positive energy to him, which he appreciated. “We’ve only just arrived. Are you hungry? We can wait to do the spell until after you’ve eaten.”
“I would like some tea first, but I will wait on food.”
“I’ll get it,” Gemi offered, turning for the kitchen.
“Is Juni swimming already?”
Carleigh sidled closer to Bayu while keeping an eye on Violet who was seated in one of the armchairs. “Yes, he’s out there with my parents and Dominic. Juniper had an errand to run.”
Gemi handed Bayu a cup of tea, already steeped and fixed the way he liked it. Carleigh must have informed her he was awake. “Thank you, Auntie.” He then took a seat on the sofa, gesturing for Carleigh to sit next to him. When she did, he turned to Violet. “How are you doing?”
“Uh, okay, I guess. Lilly and Dominic have offered to give me a place to live until I’m eighteen.”
Lilly sat on the ottoman at the teen’s feet. “No, we have offered our home until you are ready to live on your own, whether that’s when you turn eighteen or you need to wait longer.”
Violet blushed. “Sorry. It’s hard to believe you’d do that for a stranger.”
Bayu took a sip of tea, studying the girl. “You will find that this family is unlike most. They go above and beyond for those in need.”
Violet met Bayu’s eyes. “I gave Dominic and Julian all the passwords I could remember, and I’m going to start writing down everything I know about the Black Lotus.
It might not be much, but I want to help you take them down.
They don’t care who they hurt, and they also don’t care if humans find out about shifters. ”
Bayu inclined his head. “All assistance will be appreciated. If you don’t mind, I would like to begin.”
Luna waved Violet off. “We’ve already prepared the potion. All I need is one drop of your blood, then you drink it. No incantation is needed for this one.”
Bayu stood and gestured toward the kitchen. “Shall we?”
Blocking his whereabouts was much easier than removing the curse.
Lilly once again lit Luna’s knife, which she called an athame, and when she blew out the flame, Bayu held out his hand.
She pricked his finger, capturing the drop of blood into the small bottle.
She replaced the cork stopper, shook it, then handed it over. “Bottoms up.”
Bayu removed the cork and drank it down in one go. Instead of it being nasty as expected, it tasted like lavender. He replaced the cork and set the vial on the island. “How will we know it worked?”
Luna took the vial to the sink and rinsed it out. “When no one shows up here looking for you. It’s one of those things that’ll take time to prove, but Erik asked Violet a lot of pointed questions, so we believe it will work.”
“If it doesn’t, I want a refund.”
Luna grinned. “Bayu’s got jokes.” She shoved the vial in a pocket of her long skirt.
“While I would love to stay and play with Juni, I have a shop to open. Solara had to drive back to New Orleans, but she said to tell you she’d see you later.
I’m gonna go say bye to my pops and the ‘rents.” Luna gave everyone, including Gemi, a hug, then she exited through the back door.
“Now are you ready for breakfast?” Carleigh asked.
“I could eat.”
“Lilly, what about you and Violet? Care for some pancakes?”
“We ate before coming over here, but thank you. I’m going to get in some Juni time. Vi, do you want to hang out inside or by the pool?”
“By the pool please.” Violet gave Carleigh a wide berth.
As soon as they were outside, Carleigh muttered, “Was it something I said?”
Bayu tagged his mate around the waist and pulled her close. “No, but your stink-eye did. You’re giving off some strong negative vibes, my Sayang.”
Carleigh dropped her forehead to his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to, but it’s hard for me to separate her from the cult. I’ll try harder.” Carleigh snuggled closer, and Bayu held on tighter.
“I want to tell you about my dream.”
Gemi, who was gathering ingredients for pancakes, turned. “I can go outside and give you privacy.”
“No, Auntie. You need to hear this too.”
“Very well. You talk while I cook.”
Carleigh fixed Bayu another cup of tea, poured herself a mug of coffee, and took the seat next to him at the island.
He then told them everything. When he finished, he took Carleigh’s hand.
“I do not wish to leave you here, but I also do not want to put Juni through another long plane ride. Not only that, but I do not know what I will encounter searching for the shack.”
“I doubt he’d be okay staying here without me for a few days. Not this soon. I will call Connor and ask if his jet is available. Since you’re familiar with Cruz and Celeste, it would make your trip easier.”
Gemi sat a plate of pancakes and sausage links in front of Bayu. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“I will take Silas with me unless he would prefer handing the duty off to someone else.”
Silas entered the house and strode to the coffee maker for a refill. “I’m up for another trip. I will need to run home and grab some clean clothes though.”
“Silas, we could have done your laundry,” Carleigh chided.
“And we still can, but if I’m going to be here long term, I’d like to have more clothes anyway.”
“Please go upstairs and grab your laundry. I’ll do it now.”
Silas smirked. “I can do it. I’m a big Goyle.”
“Then hop to it!” Carleigh clapped her hands, and Silas saluted before setting his cup down and jogging through the house. “Men.”
“Hey,” Bayu huffed.
“Not you. You’re perfect.” Carleigh smacked a kiss on his cheek. “When did you want to leave so I can tell Connor?”
“The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll get back.”
“Gotcha.” She grabbed her phone off the counter and tapped the screen while walking toward the living room.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Gemi asked.
“I appreciate the offer, but I would like you to stay here with Juni. I want all eyes on him while I’m gone.
” Bayu dug into his pancakes, and Gemi turned to clean up the mess she’d made.
He wasn’t ready to leave his mate and cub, but he wanted to get the trip over with.
He was ready to clean out his apartment and close that chapter of his life.
Silas and Carleigh got back to the kitchen at the same time. Silas headed to the laundry room, and Carleigh plopped down on her stool. “You’re good to go. Cruz will have the jet ready tomorrow morning, but he needs to know where he’s flying to. I only knew it was somewhere in Japan.”
“I need to get to Kazuno City, but I’ll have to look up the closest airport.”
“I’ll do that while you finish eating.” Carleigh climbed back down from the stool and headed toward her office. She returned with a laptop. Bayu had barely finished one bite before she said, “Got it. I’ll text Cruz.”
Silas walked back in and grabbed his cup, downing the coffee in a couple of sips.
“I’m going to run home and get that over with so we’ll be ready to leave whenever Cruz tells us to be at the airport.
Do you need anything while I’m out?” Everyone told him they were good, and the guard left via the back.
Carleigh closed the lid on her laptop. “I think we should have another Gargoyle go with you.”
“Do you not trust Silas?”
“Absolutely, but we don’t know everywhere the Black Lotus is located.”
Bayu set his fork down and turned toward his female. “Baekyo said to trust Violet.”
“I do… sort of. I would feel better if you had more than one guard though.”
Bayu grasped her hand. “Then call Tabitha and see if she has an employee available. I will not ask anyone in your family to do this for free.”
“But that’s what—"
“—family does, I know. That is my concession.”
“Fine.” Carleigh left the room again muttering about stubborn tigers.
Bayu could be stubborn when he needed to be. And in that moment, he needed her father and Dominic to remain with Carleigh and Juni. He would not leave his little family unprotected.