22. Oz #2
I plated our sandwiches and brought them to the table. We let Arch eat his fill without asking any questions, but as soon as he was finished, Manny pounced.
“So, what did you learn?”
Arch took a long sip of his water. He set the glass down and sighed.
“The trafficker’s name was Niall Taggart.
He was originally from Ireland. Kinnon met him after World War II.
” He waved a hand in the air. “It’s a long story I won’t go into right now.
Anyway, Kinnon said Taggart wasn’t given his magic from the Elves in person.
He was one of the ones who randomly woke up with it one day.
” The Elves had not wanted to restrict their magical gifts only to the humans in particular families who received it directly from them, as that would be too limiting.
When they’d performed the ritual or whatever to grant the magic, they’d sort of sprinkled it across Earth and to this day sometimes magic appeared out of nowhere in random humans.
Arch rubbed his head. “Kinnon said Taggart had met some Wonders and other magic carriers before they’d run into each other, and he’d taken one look at Kinnon and declared them mates.
Kinnon absolutely believed him at the time, but over the years he decided Taggart somehow used his telepathy to convince him. ”
I shivered, glad we’d never had another telepath show up in the campaign, at least that I was aware of. It was hard to imagine any future telepaths would be as evil as Niall Taggart, but still.
“That poor vampire.” Carmen leaned into Eloise.
Arch nodded. “Once Taggart gained the power to mesmerize from his bond with Kinnon, he started creating short-term cons and dealing in stolen items. Stuff he stole in plain sight because he could control what people remembered. He started trafficking Wonders in the 1980s, and eventually that became his sole business. Kinnon told us where all his computers and records were. The Hunters will use them to hopefully find the Wonders who were sold, and Ramon’s helping us to track down all of Taggart’s employees and associates. ”
“Does this mean Manny is out of danger?” Eloise’s tone was urgent.
Manny grimaced, and Arch shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. We don’t know who Taggart told about Manny, and even without Taggart, every day more and more people are aware of what Manny can do.”
On that somber note, we all decided to go to bed.
Arch of course wanted to shower first, so I quickly put away the leftovers and stacked the dishes in the sink for morning.
Manny made sure Carmen and Eloise had everything they needed, and I met up with him in his bedroom.
When I closed the door behind me, he was sitting in the middle of the bed in his boxer briefs, his eyes round and worried.
He held his arms out to me. “Come here, big guy.” I left my sweatpants on since I didn’t have any underwear, and I climbed onto the mattress, laying down next to Manny.
He threw himself across my chest and squeezed me in his arms. “Fuck, Oz. I could’ve lost you today.
I was going out of my mind when you were in the other car and I couldn’t see you. ”
I stroked his head and back, unable to verbally reassure him.
I got it. When I’d been in that car, by myself with Taggart’s goons, I’d worried the entire time that we were about to take a different route, that I’d be driven to some other place to be put in a cell and auctioned off or kept for vampire snacks.
Arch would’ve found me eventually, I’d been sure, but the intervening time would’ve been reliving my nightmares.
I hugged Manny tighter and kissed the top of his head.
Emerging from the bathroom, Arch regarded us.
“Is there room for me in that cuddle pile?” Like we’d choreographed it, Manny and I each extended an arm toward him.
He came toward the bed, then hesitated. “Would you mind if we left a light on tonight? I think I’m gonna want to make sure you’re both breathing every time I wake up. ”
Oh, yeah. Great idea. I nodded emphatically, and Arch left the bathroom light on with the door cracked, then he turned off the lamp next to the bed before sliding under the covers.
He scooted over so he was on his side facing us, and I ended up with his right arm under my pillow, his head on my shoulder, and his body plastered along my side.
He threw his left arm across me, his hand resting on Manny’s shoulder, and gave a huge sigh of relief.
“I must’ve aged fifty years while we were trying to get to you.
Garfield and Carlyle were telling us you were okay, but....
Shit.” I felt tears against my shoulder, and I made a little whining noise.
I couldn’t hug him much tighter, but I tried my best, giving him a kiss on the forehead too.
Manny leaned over to wipe his tears. “Shhh, Archie-bear. We’re okay. We all made it through.”
Arch lifted his head. “I know we all have jobs and shit, but...” He swallowed. “At least for the next week or so, could we all be here when we’re not working?”
Something unclenched in my belly, and I smiled as Manny gave a quiet cheer. “Yes. Absolutely. But, fair warning, I probably won’t let you leave. Either of you.” He peered at me. “You in, gordito? You wanna try cohabitating for,”—he gave a fake cough—“a week or so?”
I nodded, my smile trying to split my face open.
I had no desire to live on my own back at Wonderhaven anymore.
My badger pranced in excitement. Manny’s cheer was slightly louder this time, and he cringed, glancing toward the door, though I doubted Carmen and Eloise could’ve heard him.
“Okay, this calls for a celebratory kiss!” He put his hands behind my head and Arch’s, pulling the three of us together.
This time, the kiss wasn’t awkward at all.