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• Amir •

As he sat on his couch, Amir thought of Luna. Her tender voice and gorgeous earthly eyes looked back at him as they got to know each other. Their scenery changed often, just as his emotions for her started growing. There was a spark between them that opened up, and he knew he needed to hold back before he crossed a line. He didn't want to ruin their connection and what they were building together.

She was in the States and already had a family. He was in his country and had obligations to uphold. Chase seemed like a good man for her, and that was all Amir could hope for with his paired partner.

But he couldn't shake the thoughts of what life would be like if she were single, and if they evolved into something more than friends. There was something about her that caused his heart to flourish and feel nurtured, and she had now impacted his life.

It was eight in the evening, and Cyrus was sleeping in his guest bedroom. Even though he would get ready for bed soon, he felt the need to visit Luna for a moment.

Softly approaching an open doorway, he peered into a large white room, then gazed at her as she adjusted a young woman for a photoshoot. She smiled and positioned her client on a round stool, nodding slightly while snapping photographs. Amir enjoyed observing her from the back, watching how she interacted with her client. Luna looked breathtaking as she wore a violet-colored top, with blue jeans. And her hair . . .

Her hair flowed gently down in waves around her face, causing his stomach to swell in knots. He loved how well Luna worked with her clients.

Before leaving her side - knowing she didn't see him standing there in the first place - he smiled and gradually found himself back in his bedroom as a soft knock was heard on his front door.

Cautiously opening it, he peeked out and noticed Faisal standing there with a six-pack of Pepsi, and a box of Domino's pizza. Pizza and Pepsi on a Saturday evening were a great distraction for him.

"Hey, cuz. I wanted to call you before stopping by, but my phone died," Faisal said, settling his stuff down onto the counter.

"That's nothing new. Your phone is never fully charged," Amir said dryly. "What's going on?"

"What? Your cousin can't come by and hang out for a minute? I know we see each other at work every day, but I wanted to come over for a bit. Plus, I noticed Cyrus's car was in the driveway."

"He is upstairs, asleep. He'd been at the medical convention today and was tired when it was over."

"Oh, I'd forgotten that it was this weekend," Faisal replied, grabbing him a plate for his food. "Should we have gone to it?"

Amir shrugged. "I didn't plan on going. Cyrus mentioned it was for new graduates who were seeking internships and to get to know the medical personnel who were there. So, he said he met with a few candidates for his business."

"Well, that's good," Faisal mumbled, moaning softly after biting his pizza.

It sounded weird to Amir to hear his cousin have some sort of foodgasm in his presence. But he ignored Faisal's sounds and got comfortable at the table. He propped a foot over another chair and bit into a plain cheese pizza.

"Sorry," Faisal murmured, slurping his drink. "This pizza is good."

"Someone is hungry."

"I'm always hungry. I could eat five whole pizzas if I wanted to."

"You got that from our grandfather's appetite."

"I believe it." He sat up and jabbed Amir's arm. "So, what's new with you?"

"Nothing much."

Amir didn't want to talk to Faisal about Luna. He didn't know Amir had met his paired companion yet, and he'd check her out on social media and all. Amir was keeping this information to himself for the time being.

"That sounds interesting. I have good news, though. We have made progress for the Tethered Project at the lab," Faisal said, gaining Amir's attention.

The project they've been researching in the research lab made progress on finding more people like them. Beneath his cousin's lazy exterior, Faisal was eager to find out as much as he could about where their species originated. His passion for staying in the lab longer than anyone else proved that he was dedicated to his work. This project was to find more traces of their genealogy, and only a handful of employees were informed about this special experiment.

"We pulled DNA from different animals, insects, and humans to see what made us who we are. From the data we've gathered, our species have been around for centuries," Faisal explained.

"That's amazing."

Amir didn't know how else to respond. He'd taken a break from the project to conduct other experiments he was hired to do. The Tethered Ones have been around since the beginning of time, and that intrigued his curiosity even more.

It was out of Tethered Souls' control who was paired for them and when they'd connect. Someone that was born in the 50s could connect to another soul, who may have been born decades later. Every pair was chosen for a reason. Amir was determined to understand how it worked.

Amir once compared their species to what the shapeshifters did in the Twilight Saga. The story had people being able to imprint on someone, connecting them for life.

"I can't wait until you meet your companion."

Amir made a straight face, trying not to reveal he'd already met his partner. He didn't want Faisal to play twenty questions.

"That sounds thrilling," Amir murmured, gazing at his cousin.

But he saw right through him.

Trying to play stupid with Faisal was like playing a card game and losing while faking it; Amir couldn't bluff. And keeping this information to himself is proving to be a challenge.

"So, you met him or her and you're just going to keep it to yourself?"

"Maybe," Amir muttered, his mind going back to Luna.

"C'mon, man. I want the deets."

Amir chuckled and pressed his lips into a thin line.

"It's a her, and she is ten years younger than me. She lives in America."

Faisal's smile widened. "That makes her twenty-three."

Amir nodded.

"Wow! That's awesome. She's a neighbor to Cassie. You know . . . in Canada. Where at in America?"

"Louisiana. Way down in the south of New Orleans."

"That is something," Faisal said, knocking his head back. "Tell me more about her."

After a short description and a few details of Luna, the guys made their way into Amir's living room and sat down on the couch. But suddenly he felt uneasy because Luna sat there. A mirage of memories floated into his sub-conscience.

"I'm happy for you, bro."

"Thanks, I guess," Amir replied, walking back to the table to place the leftover pizza in the fridge for Cyrus.

"So, you were standing in Luna's studio, which was closed, and struck up a conversation with her?"

Amir nodded.

"Well, that didn't seem shady at all. I'm surprised she didn't ring the police on you for creeping into her business when it wasn't opened. If I were her, I'd call Homeland Security in a heartbeat," Faisal said an evil grin on his face.

"Luna didn't seem to care I was there. She approached me and offered to help me with directions if I needed any. I explained who we are to one another and we ended up transitioning into Pakistan. She was freaked out and couldn't believe what was happening."

"That happened with Cassie. She was working at her restaurant, and I popped up. After I approached her, we transitioned into my bedroom and heard my parents singing in the kitchen. When we were back at the restaurant, she took a short break, and I explained everything to her. She freaked out for days."

"How did you feel when you first saw her? You could have been tethered to a guy."

"Luckily, that didn't happen," Faisal said, smirking. "Not because I have a problem with being connected to a guy, but I am quite happy to be tethered to her. Cassie is a sweet and caring woman."

"She is. You lucked up with being paired with her."

"When I met her, I thought she was an angel in her white clothes. Her golden blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. Then, she revealed she had a girlfriend and we left it at that."

"Did you ever feel anything for Cassie . . . emotionally?" Faisal shook his head.

"Our species are bound to feel that way. There are limits and restrictions. Like underage-type stuff. But Tethered Souls experience their abilities once they reach adulthood. But they can connect to their chosen one at any age."

"I think I know how it works," Amir said. "I could have been paired for someone younger and are only supposed to be there for them as a guardian. And they wouldn't be able to connect to me until they become older?"

"Precisely."

"Hm. It reminds me of Twilight."

"Let me get this straight. You're comparing our species to a worldwide fictional phenomenon? You're comparing Jacob imprinting on Bella and Edward's daughter to what we do?"

"Hey! It's similar to the series. Can't believe comedian Yasmin begged us to watch them and that it would ever come in handy."

The only person Amir could possibly sympathize with is Cyrus. His partner was from Rome, and they've maintained their connection once their powers expanded. Amir knew his friend felt deeply for Gabi, even though they were not in the same vicinity.

"It's similar, but it is not the same," Faisal said, turning Amir's way. "And as for the answer to your question . . . I have steered clear of any emotional attachments to my partner. It's forbidden."

"Forbidden?"

He took a deep breath and rubbed his hand over a small patch of facial hair, then gave Amir a grave face.

"We're not designed to be more than a close confidant to whoever we're tethered to. We can't be in a relationship with them physically, since it would never work out. Pairs aren't supposed to be in the same room together."

"I don't get it. Why?" Amir asked, keeping his voice low, so Cyrus doesn't wake up.

"I'd love to tell you more, but I don't have all the answers, yet."

"But that doesn't answer my question. How do you know being in the same space with the person you're paired with is forbidden?"

"I take it that you've fallen for Luna?" Amir nodded slowly, and Faisal's eyes shot up at his subtle admission. "Let me put it this way. I could meet Luna one day and we could be together. But she could never be present in the room with you. Cassie could be with you, but I couldn't be with her. There are consequences."

"What will happen?"

Faisal took a seat on the couch and crossed his arms over his chest, eying Amir. "Pairs coming together never work out. I'm warning you in case you have hopes to meet Luna in person."

"I do, and I want to meet her one day."

"How does she feel about that?"

"I haven't told her anything." Amir glanced down, folding his hands in his lap. "I just wonder where things could go between us if she were single."

"Oh. So, she's not single?"

Amir shook his head. "She's a mother and engaged to someone."

"Interesting."

"But you're telling me I should put my desires of meeting her to the side?"

"You should, yes," Faisal replied, looking straight into Amir's eyes. "You're only feeling this way because it's part of the pairing process. Something inside our genetics makes us drawn to our partners, no matter who they are."

"I know I'm going to respect her and the love she has for someone else," Amir said, leaning his neck back on the couch. "I'm torn about it."

"I know you are. Cassie is with someone and happily committed."

"But she's into women. That's easy for you."

"Maybe. But Cassie could still fall for me because I'm me," Faisal replied, causing Amir to shake his head. "It makes no difference who someone is normally attracted to. Your connection will always exist between you two."

"But why couldn't I pursue a relationship with her if she was single?"

"Honestly, I think you should back off. Give her space. You're too attached as it is, and the outcome would be dangerous if you ever meet her."

"How?"

"Something happens to our species when we connect to our partner physically," Faisal explained, laying his elbows on his knees. "Pairs become sick, like coming in contact with someone who has a virus. I have information back in my office when we get to the lab. You might understand then."

"Why didn't you explain this information to me before?"

Faisal snorted. "How was I supposed to know this would happen? We didn't know when you were going to connect."

Amir made a face, and then Faisal continued.

"What I mean is, you're reserved. You rarely let anyone into your life. I figured you might feel a close connection to your partner, but feeling something beyond that is on a whole other level with you."

"I guess I can see your point," Amir said, sighing. "It's not easy for me to open up to another person."

"Exactly. You're different when it comes to love, or who you talk to. You've never felt this way." Faisal took a breath. "If Luna was single, you still couldn't be with her physically. It would be fatal for both of you."

"I don't understand why we have these feelings to meet our partners but can't."

"I get it, but that's how it is." Faisal took a deep breath and reverted his stare to his cousin. "We stay close to our companions, but keep our distance."

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