Page 17 of Wonder (Wonderfall #3)

Jackson’s eyebrows scrunched up. “I’m not exactly sure.

In my other forms, the rear legs bent in the opposite direction, and all four limbs were used for locomotion.

Today is only my second day in this form.

I have managed walking and sitting, but I feel unsure of my steps, and I don’t know how to grasp things with my hands while also walking. ”

Tucker’s face lit up. “Hand-eye coordination and movin’ around. Let me run out to my car. I have just the thing to help.”

He went outside right as Shane got a phone call.

“It’s Pia,” he told Jackson. “She’s pretty freaked out about us being in danger.

” Shane’s adopted daughter, who he shared with his two partners, had witnessed a vampire attack a few months ago.

One of her other fathers had been taken captive before Shane and I, with Jackson’s help, had rescued him.

Shane picked up his phone to answer it, but Jackson held up a hand. “You should go home. You’re more valuable as a DM and a father than as a fighter.”

I nodded. “I agree.” Shane could go into combat mode, which Reno couldn’t, but I didn’t get the impression that Shane had been in many fights. Reno, however, had experience from his time with the police.

Shane gave me and Jackson a thoughtful look as he answered the call, then he walked to the stairs, probably to go to the attic where he’d slept last night.

Tucker came back through the front door carrying a baseball glove, a softball, and a bat. “Come on, Jackson, let’s go out to the backyard and play some ball! This’ll get your muscles workin’ better.”

Jackson appeared skeptical, but they stood up and followed Tucker outside. I went over to Nicky. He’d mastered the remote, and he paused his program—some sort of British detective series.

“Would you like to go outside and watch Tucker and Jackson?”

“Sure.” He sat forward and whipped the throw blanket off his legs. I was glad to see his magic core was starting to whirl a little faster. He had a long recovery ahead of him, but he’d make it. Physically at least.

I leaned over to pick him up, and he shrank back, his eyes going wide. I straightened again. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He put a hand up and closed his eyes briefly. “Not your fault. It was... a bad memory. Um, can you back up a bit?”

I took two steps back from the sofa. Nicky scooted to the edge of the cushion and put his feet on the floor. Then he looked at me and held his arms up. “Okay, try now.”

Instead of looming over him this time, I squatted down and lifted him so we remained face-to-face. Nicky nodded and put his arm around my shoulders to hold on. “Thanks. I want to try standing up after lunch.”

“Great! Whenever you feel strong enough.” I opened the back door. Tucker was showing Jackson how to throw a softball.

Nicky leaned in and sniffed my neck. “I knew you before, didn’t I?”

I set him down in the chair I’d sat in last night.

It was only a coincidence that I got to sit in the one Reno had used.

I rubbed my jaw and sighed. “Yes, but you were very young when we saw each other last. You were only twelve years old when you were taken, and you’d been in Canada during the war.

It won’t surprise me if you don’t remember much. ”

“I remember my parents were King and Queen. My mother was pregnant, and she’d gone back home to the other place. But I never lived there. I was born on Earth, and I wasn’t happy about having to leave.” He stretched his arms out as if trying to soak in the sun.

“I don’t blame you.”

He gave a cynical laugh. It was the most adult he’d sounded since we’d rescued him. “I guess the vamps didn’t want to leave either.”

I shook my head. “No, the ones who took you had developed a taste for drinking blood directly from Wonders. It isn’t allowed in the Elven dimension.”

He traced a bite scar on his forearm with one finger. “Did you stay for the same reason?”

My head jerked back, and I sucked in a breath. “No! I stayed to rescue you and stop the luchd-òl fola. That’s what I’ve been calling them.”

He silently mouthed the words. “I don’t know what that means.”

Hell, it’d been so long since he’d even heard the Elven language. Understandable that he’d forget it. “Sorry, it means blood drinkers.”

“Oh. Makes sense. How many Guards did my father leave behind to help you find me?”

I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees. I forced myself to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry, Nicky, but when they cut your connections, your father assumed you’d been killed. Even when I found evidence to the contrary, he didn’t believe me.”

“Oh.” His voice was low. Across the yard, Jackson threw the ball overhand toward Tucker, but it landed in the grass halfway between them.

I forced a positive tone. “But he let me stay and search for you.” I reached out and touched his wrist. He looked at me with those purple Elven eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner.”

He shook his head and smiled. “The way they moved around, I’m shocked you found me at all.” He sat up and mimicked the throwing motion Jackson was currently practicing. “So, how long until my parents reopen the portal?”

Fuck. I couldn’t lie, but... shit. “Your father, um. He was horrified by World War II.” I twisted my fingers together. “He told me he wasn’t planning to reopen it. Ever.” I glanced at him to gauge his reaction. “We’re stuck here.”

He pressed his lips together, gazing toward Tucker and Jackson. “So I won’t get to see my parents again.” He blinked rapidly, and one tear escaped. Jerkily he wiped it away. “It seems silly to feel like they abandoned me when they thought I was dead.”

“It’s not silly.” Frankly I agreed with the sentiment. Even after all these years, I was still angry at King Domhnull for not listening to me about his son being alive.

Nicky sniffled, then he spread out his hands. “At the very least they should reopen it to get you back.” He studied me. “Would you have rather returned to the other dimension?”

“At the time, yes.” I couldn’t stop my eyes from looking toward the back door. “But not now. Reno is my mate. He wouldn’t be welcome there, so I’m happy to stay here.”

Jackson managed to throw the ball far enough that it landed near Tucker. But when he tossed it back, Jackson slapped it away from themself like it would’ve harmed them.

Tucker cheered. “We need to work on your catchin’ game, but you don’t have any trouble with your reflexes.”

Nicky chuckled. “I need to make Jackson watch a baseball game.”

“Do you remember your dèideag dìon?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”

I tilted my head toward Jackson. “They have almost completed their Becoming.”

Nicky gaped. “That’s them? I didn’t recognize them. They’re.... Wow.”

I hoped Jackson stayed with Nicky. They’d be good companions and could help each other learn to navigate life on Earth.

A car door slammed in front of the house. I jumped to my feet. “Stay here.” I put on extra speed running through the living room, and I was at the front door in a couple of seconds. Another car door shut. They weren’t trying to be stealthy at least.

I yanked the front door open, and Cal and Greg were coming up the walkway.

“Hey, Simon!” Cal lifted the cooler in his right hand. “Good to see you. We’re here to help find these assholes.”