Epilogue
SIMON
Jackson’s bat cracked 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, because that wouldn’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.”
“But neither of us has the skills of a magic carrier with DM abilities. We can’t hold enough connections, and we can’t get emotions or locations through the connections we have.”
His face went oddly blank. “Is that something either of you would want? To have those abilities, I mean?”
I huffed a laugh. “I promise you, Reno does not want to have DM abilities. Me? Well, if it were possible, I think I’d be pretty good at it.”
“Okay. Give me your hand.” He held one of his out, palm up.
“What?” Did he mean...?
He rolled his eyes. “I’m still genetically part of the royal family. I might not be able to do it at a distance like they did before the portal closed, but I know how to transfer magical talents. It’s instinct.”
Hesitantly I put my hand in his. Out on the field, Reno, who’d been preparing to pitch, straightened up and cocked his head at us. Nicky closed his eyes, then nodded and dropped my hand. “There you go.” He looked back toward the game. “Why are they all staring at us?”
“I—” I gazed down at my core, where the wheel was spinning faster and faster. My magic burst out of me in a dazzling explosion, reaching out to the edges of the District.
Click. The magic retreated back into my body in a rush, and I snapped into place. Like I’d been unmoored and drifting my entire life, but now I was home and secure. Only my mating with Reno had been more emotionally satisfying.
I rubbed my chest as the connections I had with some of the Wonders in the District changed. I knew exactly where each of them was, and if I focused, I could get a general idea of their overall mood.
“Simon?” Reno was standing on the bleacher below us.
I wiped the tears from my cheeks and grinned at him. “The new District Monitor is here.”
His eyes widened, and he looked between me and Nicky. “You? You wanted this?”
I nodded, and he stepped up to wrap me in a big hug. “Congratulations. I love you. We’re the luckiest District in the world to get you as the DM.” He sent happiness and pride through our bond.
“Thanks. I love you too.”
As Reno shouted the news to all the Wonders, and they crowded around to congratulate me and start our connections, I knew it wasn’t this District who was lucky.
It was me.
Thank you for reading Wonder! Don’t miss my next urban fantasy series, Singular Magics, which kicks off next year with Unprecedented!