Page 70 of Wonder
I lifted my head and kissed his jaw, which was all I could reach. “Simon, you are the sexiest guy I have ever seen, much less been naked with.”
He turned his head so he could kiss me back. “Thank you, my love. I feel the same about you.”
I ducked my head back into his neck to avoid obsessing over the endearment he’d used. “But, you know what would make you even more attractive?”
He laughed out loud and hugged me tighter. “Let me guess. If I were wet and soapy in the shower?”
I nipped his neck where I’d wanted to leave a hickey earlier, and he sucked in a breath. “This bond thing is amazing. It’s like you can read my mind.”
He opened his arms and let me slide off him. I held out a hand to help him out of bed, and I kept hold of it while we walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Simon crowded me against the wall next to the tub and kissed me slowly and thoroughly. When he pulled away, he was smiling. “Speaking of reading your mind, I know you’re not ready to say the words yet.” I stiffened, and he kissed me again. “Shhh. Take all the time you need. I’m not in a hurry.My love.”
He kissed me again before stepping back, opening the shower curtain, and getting under the spray. Then he started singing Chappell Roan’s “The Giver.”
Stunned, I touched my lips, hismy lovebouncing through my brain like a rubber ball. The corners of my mouth turned up, and my chest felt fluttery and light. I laughed and peeled myself off the wall before getting into the shower with my mate.
With my love.
WIMBERLEY, TEXAS – APRIL 1 OF THIS YEAR
I tightened my fingers on the steering wheel, driving as fast as I dared on the poorly maintained roads north of the Build Barn where Cal’s vision had put the next victim. Theluchd-òl folawouldn’t park in the actual lot due to cameras and zero places to hide.
There. A white van. I passed it and parked in front of someone’s house on the next block. I was already armed, so I just grabbed the tracking device and ran back. I wasn’t planning on letting them leave with a victim, but I’d let at least one of them escape. I tried to calm my racing heart. This tracking device would lead me to their safe house, and there were few enough of theluchd-òl folaleft that, if I planned things right, I could take them all out in one attack.
I double-checked that the tracker was secure and I could see it on my phone, then I took off for the Build Barn parking lot. I could hear yelling, so the fight had already started. In all the years I’d trackedthe luchd-òl fola, no one else, until now, had figured out that Wonders were being systematically kidnapped, much less tried to do something to prevent it.
And even though none of the single District Monitors or Cal had turned out to be my mate, I was overjoyed to finally have some fuckinghelp. And their online chatter about a sentient “Elven artifact” made me think Prince Nicol’sdèideag dìonhad made their way here too. I didn’t believe in fate, but it was obvious things were coming to a head. I just needed to stay focused on the end goal and stick to the plan.
Victory was close. I could feel it.
EPILOGUE
SIMON
Jackson’s batcracked as they hit the softball. The Wonders stacked on all the bases whooped and ran for home, Jackson bringing up the rear. Shirley, who was playing left field, shouted in frustration as she leaped for the ball but it still went over her head.
Beside me, Nicky jumped up and down as he cheered. His physical health had come a long way in the past few months, and he could manage the stairs to the attic multiple times a day just fine, but he wasn’t up to playing an entire softball game. Shane had referred us to a Wonder who was a licensed therapist, and Nicky, along with his fellow ex-captives, had begun the long process of working through his trauma. He had his bad days and moments, but he impressed all of us with his perseverance and resilience.
On the pitcher’s mound, Reno caught the ball Shirley threw to him, then he waited for the next batter, an eagle shifter named Rathbone, to step up to the plate. Reno’s nose and the back of his neck were still a little sunburned from yesterday afternoon, when he and I had gone kayaking. I’d enjoyed slathering him with sunscreen this morning.
Nicky and I had prime seats, directly behind home plate. I’d chosen them so I could send naughty thoughts to my mate as I admired how his shorts and slightly sweaty t-shirt clung to his body. These seats also put us in direct view of Tucker’s ass as he squatted behind home plate and raised his glove. Nicky, as he’d done each and every time this entire game, sucked in a breath.
On the one hand, I was thrilled Nicky’s body was healed enough that his sex drive was surfacing. On the other hand, Elves reached sexual maturity in their twenties, so odds were his parents hadn’t discussed the ins and outs of sex with him. Sure, he’d seen enough TV and movies, and he certainly had access to the internet, but I’d have to make sure he knew everything he needed to know. Especially about Elves and sex, becausethatwouldn’t be anywhere online.
Around us, Wonders and their families—some of whom included humans like Emiliano Duran—chatted and laughed. Thomas and Anika, two of the Wonders who’d been rescued along with Nicky, were in attendance as well. We’d rented out most of the park for the afternoon and early evening. This was the first District-wide event to happen since Reno’s cousin had died and he’d taken over as acting DM. I loved seeing everyone together, forming connections and having fun.
Some days I had trouble believing this was how I got to live my life now. After so many years alone, traveling constantly, suddenly having a home, friends, and a mate felt almost unreal. I still worried about Kinnon from time to time. Not knowing what had happened to him or whether he was out there harming Wonders was always a nagging worry in the back of my brain. But unless he announced his presence somehow, all I could do was keep a watch out online for news of missing Wonders.
With my computer skills, becoming a partner in Reno’s private investigation business had been as natural as breathing for me, and Reno enjoyed the work more now that he could share the load.
To Reno’s relief, I’d almost completely taken over the acting District Monitor role. I loved every minute of assisting the Wonders in navigating the mundane world, talking them through their problems, and giving advice. Reno, of course, loved every minute of not being the one to do that anymore.
I dreaded the day a magic carrier with DM abilities would come along and resonate with the District. I’d have trouble giving up being the person the Wonders relied on. Would the new DM remember to check in weekly with Portia Escobar, who would get so involved with her painting she’d forget to eat? Would they make sure Edward Bingham’s family wasn’t getting overwhelmed keeping up with his tendency to leave his seal skin near any pretty Wonder he saw?
Nicky nudged my arm. “What’s the matter?”
“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking that someday these Wonders will get a real District Monitor, and I’d miss helping them.”
Nicky made a face. “Why do they need a different District Monitor? They have you and Reno.”
