Chapter 24 #2
The next day, Bayu, Carleigh, Juniper, and Jon went to Bayu’s apartment.
With four of them, it didn’t take long to get everything packed and loaded.
What they were taking to their house they put in the back of Jon’s truck except for the artwork.
It was carefully loaded onto the back seat.
They decided to donate his furniture to a local shelter, so they packed those items in a moving van.
Juniper followed Jon so he could return the van, then ride back to the house with her to get his truck.
Since Bayu was taking his car, Carleigh drove the truck home.
Carleigh and Bayu got his stuff unloaded with the help of Julian, and while they waited for Juniper and Jon to arrive, Bayu shared with Carleigh the photos in the lock box.
He told her stories about his parents and sister, and she held him while he cried.
One day, when Juni was older, Bayu would share the photos and stories with him as well.
When Jon and Juniper got there, they joined them downstairs. Jon had brought his swim trunks so he could hang out with Juni. It amazed Bayu how everyone doted on the cub.
“Who’s watching the gym?” Carleigh asked her cousin.
“Tor and Bodi. Now that Luna is creating weapons out of jewelry using magic, she’s putting the twins out of a job. They flew over with Brynna and Travis and decided to stay for the summer.”
“Remind me who they are.” Bayu had met Brynna and Travis briefly when he went to Stone, Incorporated, but the other two he didn’t recall.
“Tor and Bodi are Brynna’s nephews. Her brother, Banyan, is the Norse Gargoyle King, and he’s mated to Urijah. Banyan and Urijah ran the armory back in my parents’ day, and they turned the forge over to the twins. There isn’t a lot of call for swords these days, so it seems they’re getting bored.”
“They were, but Sebastian called needing my help with something, so the twins are going to run the gym while I’m gone.”
“Does that mean you’ll be in Carlton for the fourth? Harlow and I still need your help with that project we’ve been working on.”
“Unless Bas sends me away, I’ll still be there.” When Juni rushed through the house, Jon knelt so he wasn’t towering over the cub. “Hey, Juni. You ready to swim?”
“Uh huh. You toss me?”
“I sure will.” Jon lifted Juni into his arms, and the two headed outside with Gemi and Kat trailing behind. Julian was already out there waiting.
As much as Bayu wanted to join them, he had responsibilities.
He kissed his mate, then made his way to the library and tucked into the ancient scrolls.
Carleigh brought him a sandwich when he didn’t stop for lunch, and when he finished the last word, he checked the time.
It was a quarter past five. Time for him to join the others.
Where Rhoan was confused by what he’d read, Bayu had a full understanding of what was expected of him.
The markings now made sense as each one held a unique power, and when combined, Bayu was a force of nature.
He also understood why he felt grounded amongst the trees and why he preferred to go barefoot.
Each Nuhuala was attuned to one of the elements, and the earth was his to call on.
He couldn’t wait to go next door and try out his gifts.
Bayu assumed fire was Rhoan’s element since he was a dragon.
Baekyo had told him not to worry about the other Nuhuala.
He wondered what her element was, and since there were several, he assumed there was at least one more Nuhuala out in the world somewhere.
They each had their own tasks, and according to the ancient text, the previous blessed beasts never worked together.
That didn’t mean they couldn’t, otherwise, they wouldn’t be linked through their markings.
One thing he was still unsure of was how his grandfather and the others on the Council of Shen came to be the authors of the scrolls.
Maybe one day he would seek him out and ask.
For now, Bayu was satisfied. The only thing left to do was to add his father’s scroll to the others, then he had to choose his own keeper.
He wouldn’t ask that of Gemi. She had done enough in keeping them safe for Hariz.
He would ask Carleigh for her advice on the matter.
Bayu placed the ancient documents in their closet for the time being, and he then changed into his swimsuit so he could play with Juni.
When he went in search of his mate and son, he found them outside with several of Carleigh’s family.
A party had ensued while Bayu was reading.
He paused in the doorway, taking in the fun being had.
He was thrilled to find Gemi in the shallow end with Carleigh, Juniper, Kat, Cailín, and two new females.
A different female, this one a teen, sat under one of the umbrellas.
Jon, Julian, and two more males Bayu hadn’t met, were in the deep end, and Juni was being tossed in the air, his joyous laughter mixing with the music coming from the speakers.
Silas, who was normally around but not visible, was standing at the edge of the pool, and he too was smiling.
As though he were attuned to Bayu, Juni grabbed hold of Jon’s shoulders as soon as Bayu stepped outside and yelled, “Abah! Come fwim!”
Who could turn down such an offer? Bayu couldn’t.
He pressed a kiss to Carleigh’s wet hair as he walked down the steps past her, and he had just enough time to put his hands up to catch Juni when Jon tossed him.
The strangers were introduced as Dante and Isabelle, Connor’s parents, and Deklan, Christina, and Demi, their other kids.
Deklan was the spitting image of his father, and the sisters favored Isabelle.
It wasn’t long after Bayu came outside that several more Clan members showed up. Harlow arrived with the witches and their parents. Violet walked through the gate with Elle, Anthony, and Nekoma, the latter two carrying large coolers. Now Bayu understood why the pool was so massive.
Luna pulled Bayu aside at one point, handing over a thin silver cuff which she had spelled to his specifications. She taught him the words to speak, and he was able to call on his weapon of choice should he ever need it. He thanked the witch, and then he showed his new jewelry to his mate.
Julian and Dante took over grilling duty, while Dominic passed around jugs of rum. If they weren’t shifters, he would have gotten them all drunk within minutes, but Bayu enjoyed the male’s enthusiasm.
With Juni safely with the other males, Bayu swam over to Gemi and leaned against the side of the pool. “Are you okay?” he whispered since most everyone in attendance was a shifter and could hear their conversation.
Gemi’s smile was sad. “I am, but I do wish Kiki had experienced this kind of family. She would have been right in the middle of the fun.”
“That she would, but I understand now why Abah kept her mostly secluded and sent Juni to live with you. His tasks were dangerous. He didn’t mention going after the Black Lotus, but how else would mama have known who attacked them?”
“I had that same thought. As much as I wish they were all alive, I wouldn’t begrudge you and Juni this amazing family. I have been on my own for such a long time, and now I am surrounded by so much goodness. My soul isn’t healed, but it is well on its way.”
“Mine too, Auntie. Mine too.”