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“Rar! What greedy?”

“Here it means you like it when Cunkle does tricks.”

“Twicks. Me like. S’good. More.”

“Okay, my little gargoyle. What would you like me to do?”

Elliot’s lips tightened as he thought. “Colors. I want colors.”

Cullen swiped his hand through the air, a scarlet flame appearing. “Do you like red?”

“Pwease. Yes.”

“Or do you prefer blue?” In his other hand, a tiny blue flame appeared.

“Poople.”

“Oh. I see. You want purple.” He breathed the red flame and the blue flame together and slowly pushed them until the thick colors intertwined and created purple.

“Oh.” Little Elliot stared with wide eyes.

“Nicely done, brother. Learning opportunity. Color theory is our friend,” Corbin told him.

He set the purple flame on the ground for his nephew. “I hate how sick Cosmo is this time. I don’t remember him being quite this sick before.”

“Everybody on the other side says every pregnancy is different. I don’t know, but I don’t blame you. It’s just, it’s sad.”

“I think we’re going to have to talk to Mom.”

Corbin arched an eyebrow. “We? Do you have a mouse in your pocket?”

“Oh, all right, I’ll talk to her.” Everybody knew that Cullen was totally cool with wandering across whatever doorway he wanted to, and he loved to hang out with Mom. She was a hoot. If by hoot he meant kind of a giant pain in the butt. With a temper.

“You rock,” Corbin said.

“No! Him Cullen!”

“Would you like me to be a rock?” Cullen asked, and he gathered a little magic, making himself into a big boulder.

Elliot squealed, clapping his hands. “Silly Unc! You’s a rock.”

“I am.” He let go of the illusion. “Boo!”

“Eeek!” Elliot laughed wildly as Cullen picked him up.

He blew a raspberry on that tiny belly.

Elliot laughed, and Corbin got burgers on the grill, the sizzle and sudden scent of searing meat yummy.

“Unc. Unicorn.”

“You want me to be a unicorn?” Or make one? He’d done that, but it took a lot of energy.

“No! Unicorn. S’over dere.”

Cullen looked to Corbin. “Do you think?”

Corbin’s nostrils flared. “Get the baby inside.”