Accidental Surrogate

The Long Road Home Ella “No more road trips,” I grumble under my breath, trying to rock my little baby in my arms and distract him from the rumbling of the road, “ever again.”” Don’t be so sore about it,” Cora says, moving one of her checkers forward a space.

“At least we got the information we were coming for.” “WellthatI will never begrudge,” I say, turning my head and smiling at her.” But next time?” She grins, anticipating what I’m going to say next.

“We’re taking a private jet.” Cora laughs, shaking her head at me and sitting back against the backrest of her seat in the kitchenette.” That would be a waste of resources, and it’s probably too short of a flight or something to mom’s temple,” she sighs.

“Well thenoneof our children,” I huff, leaning forward to study the board, “is going to have to learn to bend time and space, because I amnotsuffering through this agai-” But before I can even finish my sentence, Roger at the driver’s seat hits a huge bump and the game board goes flying in the air, pieces scattering despite their magnetic bond.

I groan and sit back against my own seat as Cora sighs and picks up the pieces, putting them back in the box.

We both know that particular distraction is over.

“Sorry!” Roger calls over his shoulder.

“Won’t happen again!” “He just knew I was beathing you,” I grumble as Sinclair comes and sits next to me.” Why did you let him drive, anyway? You’re better at it than he is.” “Oh, no he’s not,” Cora murmurs, defending her mate, but Sinclair and I ignore her.

“He insisted,” Sinclair tells me with a shrug, reaching for the baby.

“And youknowhow he gets when he feels like he’s not getting his turn with the toy.” I laugh a little, handing the baby over to my mate who smiles down at his grumpy son.

“I agree though,” Sinclair says, smiling at me now and reaching out to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Next time? All luxury.

We’ll get you all drunk at the airport so you don’t even remember the flight, and then we’ll spend the rest of our time luxuriating.” “This had better be a promise,” I murmur, leaning against him and closing my eyes.

“You got it, baby,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head.

“Hey, so,” Cora says, and I open my eyes to see her leaning across the table, her attention focused mostly on Sinclair.

“Where are we going, anyway?” “Um, home?” he says, frowning at her.

“Yeah,” she says, cocking her head to the side, “but…like, bunker home? Horribly uncomfortable clinic home? Your home, the house of a thousand corpses?” Sinclair laughs a little.

says, waving

helps us with those kinds of needs.”

your pay grade,” he

we’re going to

Sinclair considers seriously, we’re pretty damn sure that the Cult itself doesn’t have any particular problem with us –

put a serious dent in the Cult’s resources and manpower, and Xander has fled,” he shrugs,

close eye on it, but I think it’s time to start our lives again.” “It has to be more complicated than that,” I say,

rest -” “No, he’s

we aren’t without

went to the bunker because we didn’t know what we were

is on the run, it is a good a time as any to regroup and focus on the interrupted task: ensuring this country is

he says,

any objections?” “Are the people of this nation aware,” she says, “that theirKingeatsallthe chips? And does not bother

likewise aware, that said sister-inlaw ateallof the chocolate chip cookies Cora

“Unfair!” she says.

pregnant!” “Enough!” I groan, especially as

as my mate and my sister fall

cannot take argument on top of traveling in a sardine

it is smelly in here.” “Truce, then,” Cora

curious as I look up at my

House,” he says

a little pulse down the bond which shushes me, letting me

the

you think,” Cora asks, looking down at her hands again and opening and closing them

Or not?” “You can do anything you put your mind to,” I say placatingly to my sister, grinning, imagining how very much she’d

to talk to you about

he says, giving a little shrug and

of military concerns, I wonder if you’d be willing to consider experimenting with your gift and

like that -” “Cora!” I scold, sitting up straight and frowning between my mate and

people with your gift!” “Chill out, Ella,” she murmurs, leaning back in her seat and frowning at