Page 16 of Wonder
I raised my eyebrows. Shit, that was generous, and actually a good idea.
She hesitated but then nodded firmly. “Yes, please, if you really don’t mind.” She turned and waved the other former captives over.
I ended up sitting on the ground next to Simon, and Shirley and Tucker joined us. We made a sort of connections assembly line. All of the former captives already had connections to Nicky, fortunately, since I would’ve hated to wake him. Simon and I had formed a connection earlier this afternoon, so we were covered.
Simon told each of the former captives that he wouldn’t be offended if they didn’t want to create a connection with him, but all five said they wanted to. Arlo and Ophelia were a little hesitant to take Simon’s hand, but once the connections were formed, they were smiling and relaxed.
The Hunters took Thomas, Arlo, Ophelia, Anika, and Morris to a local hotel for the night. All of them avoided touching any of the Hunters, but they didn’t seem in distress, talking excitedlyabout what food they wanted to have delivered. Morris’ husband would pick him up at the hotel in the morning, and the other four would be returned to their homes tomorrow. Two Hunters were staying to guard the vampires’ house and search it more thoroughly. Neither Tucker nor I mentioned the laptops and papers we’d found. I didn’t feel at all guilty giving Simon first crack at them. He could pass them on if he wanted to.
Dominic came over as Tucker and I were discussing how to go pick up my, Simon’s, and Shirley’s cars. We’d all parked on the next street.
The Hunter looked down at Nicky. “Reno said Nicky here’s been held captive for a long time. We’d like to cross him off whatever missing persons list he’s on. Do you know where he’s from?”
Simon hesitated, then said, “He was taken in Scotland. I’ll talk to him about whether there’s anyone there he wants to notify.”
Dominic was unimpressed. “What’s his last name?”
Simon shrugged. “I’ll ask when he wakes up.”
I turned away so I wouldn’t laugh. When Dominic finally gave up and stomped off to bother someone else, Tucker caught my eye and grinned. For all he worked for the police department, he’d always enjoyed watching someone give the finger to people in authority.
Shane stayed with Nicky while Tucker drove me, Shirley, and Simon to our respective vehicles. Simon had a minivan of all things. Though it probably blended in better than something like the vampires’ van, and he could sleep in it if he needed to.
I invited Shirley and Tucker to have dinner with us, but Shirley wanted to go home, and Tucker went with her. Simon met meback at the vampires’ house, where we loaded a still-sleeping Nicky into one of Simon’s rear seats, which could be reclined to lay almost flat. His cargo area was full of plastic storage containers, some knitted blankets, a yoga mat, and what looked like a mini fridge.
Shane, with Jackson still sleeping in his back seat, and Simon followed me to my house. As we pulled onto my street, I saw Tia Esperanza’s car in the driveway. “Fuck.” I should’ve known she’d stay to meet the crime victim I’d told her I needed to feed.
I pulled in beside Tia’s car, and Shane and Simon parked in front of my house. I got out and trotted over to help Simon with Nicky, but he already had the man in his arms and only needed me to slide the minivan’s door shut.
Simon carried Nicky as if he didn’t weigh anything. I didnothave any feelings about seeing Simon holding someone—not someoneelse, just someone—in a bridal carry. It was the most efficient option after all.
Shane and Jackson met us on the way to the front door, and I held up a hand. “Fair warning, my aunt is here. She’ll feed us, but she’s also nosy as hell. You don’t have to tell her anything you don’t want to.”
Shane snorted. “We’re lucky my grandmother wasn’t visiting when Jackson asked to come here.” He glanced around. “Though it’s probably only a matter of time.”
Shane’s grandmother was dead, but she’d hung around in ghost form. One of Shane’s partners, Rory, was a Medium, and Shane had the ability to see ghosts now too. Rory’s grandfather was also passed on but still part of the family.
I opened the front door and ushered everyone inside. “Tia?”
“In the kitchen!” She hurried into the living room, gasping when she saw Nicky in Simon’s arms. “Oh, the poor thing!” She pointed at the ground-floor guest room. “I made sure there were fresh sheets in that room, and the attic is ready for guests too.Hola, I’m Esperanza.”
Simon beamed at her. “Thank you for cooking for us. I’m Simon, and this is Nicky.” He carried Nicky into the bedroom.
Shane and Jackson introduced themselves. Jackson had altered their appearance slightly, no longer looking exactly like Misha Collins, and they were now wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt. Tia stared a little, probably noticing Jackson’s unusual magic, but she didn’t ask any questions, thank goodness.
I pointed up the stairs. “Um, I’ve got another spare bedroom in the attic, but there’s only one bed.”
Jackson shook their head. “I can sleep anywhere in one of my other forms, so don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll take the attic then. I’ll go get cleaned up and be right back.” Shane headed upstairs.
I didn’t know where to have Simon sleep. The couch was a sectional made up of four recliners, so he could sleep there if he wanted to be close to Nicky. Or he could share my bed, since it was a king, but that was a recipe for me waking up with my morning wood pressed against Simon’s body without his consent. Screw it, we’d figure it out later.
Jackson looked around, seeming uncertain about what to do.
“You can wash up in the kitchen if you like.” They seemed relieved to have instructions. I followed, intending to wash myown hands. I really wanted a shower, but it would have to wait. “Tia, do you want me to set the table?”
“Please. You can make a salad when you’re done with that. I need to warm up more tamales.”
