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.

he says, waving a hand and

a very… particular service which helps us with those kinds of needs.” “Ohweird,” I say, sitting

isthatjob interview like?” “Information above your pay

to

particular problem with us – that they were

resources and manpower, and Xander has fled,”

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

to rest -” “No, he’s not,”

aren’t without resources,

bunker because we

it is a good a time as any to regroup and focus on the interrupted task: ensuring this country is united under a single

he says, grinning

of this nation aware,” she says, “that theirKingeatsallthe chips? And does not bother to consider whether his sister-in-law wanted any?” Sinclair

likewise aware, that said sister-inlaw ateallof the

“Unfair!” she says.

groan, especially as Rafe starts to fuss more in

hands to my temples and rub them gently as my mate and my sister fall silent, grinning

on top of traveling

in here.”

house?” I say, likewise curious as I

he says with a

which shushes me, letting me

a little kiss on the shoulder before

think,” Cora asks, looking down at her hands again and opening and closing them as if she can see her

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

talk to you about

curiosity.” Sure,” he says, giving a little shrug and

of a nation that’s going to have a lot of military concerns, I wonder if you’d be willing to consider experimenting with your gift and seeing how it could be used… well, as

thought of it like that -” “Cora!” I scold, sitting

about hurting people with your gift!” “Chill out, Ella,” she murmurs,