ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Tethered ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Chapter 16

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• Amir •

Amir didn't think the fight could get any worse. Mostly because there was a brief moment when he thought they might be able to run. But then the chopper came down, exposing the one guy he couldn't wait to pound into.

Chase looked down at them with dark eyes and a smile on his face, as if he was eager to reveal himself.

Greer swore and started to bulk up, but he intervened before he could do something that would result in more explosions and mayhem.

"It's been a while, Aluna," Chase exclaimed happily. "You both have changed."

Amir stepped forward. "Don't say that name."

"Well, if anyone wants to live," he continued, his voice clipped, "you'll get in here right now."

Amir took a deep breath, but he knew they didn't have much of a choice. They either fought and were killed by other officers headed in their direction, or they fled in the helicopter. Then what? They were back into a more dangerous situation than what they left? But one option would almost certainly involve dying now, while the other would involve dying later. Later gave them some breathing room to figure out how to get out of this newest dilemma.

Amir gave Greer a look that said, Cool It Down, and he worried the guard was going to say to hell with it, but his shoulders squared, and then he hoisted himself into the helicopter.

"We need to move!" Greer yelled, and the red-headed soldier who had joined their fight trailed behind.

The guy in his late teens rushed back and opened his mouth before boarding the helicopter. "I know you don't know me, but my name is Kian. I came on behalf of T-Virus."

Luna gulped as she held Amir's hand.

Turning to face her, he met her stare, and the wariness in her brown eyes, and the exhaustion and distress, were tinged with worry. It hurt him deeply to see that and know there was nothing he could do about it.

He bowed his head and brushed his lips against hers. "What do you think?"

"Kian said the name T-Virus. The only person I call that is—"

"Titus," he finished.

She nodded.

"Then, it will be fine."

Her brows scrunched together. "With Chase?"

Amir turned to face his enemy, then returned his attention to her. "If Titus sent both of them here to save us, and Greer has proven to be on our side, then we should go."

Luna's hands trembled in his, and they moved closer to the helicopter.

"Look who decided to show up!" Chase exclaimed, smiling. "Yay!"

When Amir glared straight into his eyes, his lip curled. "You remember what happened the last time you thought you could control us?"

A sliver of rage crept across Chase's otherwise stoic face. "Believe me. I haven't forgotten that I'd spent months in a coma."

"Great," Amir quipped as he hoisted Luna inside. When he climbed in, he drew her closer to him, crowding Chase. Locking eyes with Amir, he backed up and slid down onto a seat. "Just so you know, we're not done with you yet."

"Is that so?"

Once the helicopter thrusters drowned out his words, Amir got all up in Chase's face and lowered his voice so that only he could hear him. "Yeah, because this time I'm going to make sure you stay down."

Chase tensed as Amir stepped back and reached for Luna. Greer handed her to him, and Chase said nothing. He instead leaned back and closed his eyes. All he wanted was to get this ride over with and figure out where they were heading to.

As Greer sat on the other side, he tucked Moon against him. Two more soldiers jumped in, taking the seats next to Chase. One leaned back and motioned to the pilot with his arm to take them up.

Luna squeezed her eyes shut once the group left the ground. Amir felt a shuddering power through her when she balled her fist into his shirt. Her heart was pounding so fast. He knew she wasn't afraid of flying, but he assumed it was because she was in the presence of her ex-fiancé again.

Even he despised the idea, but it was better than being flayed out on the freeway.

Amir lifted his wife and sat her in his lap, his stare fixed on Chase and his lovely entourage. He engulfed her, one hand curled against the back of her head, her heart resting against his chest.

As he spoke into her ear, he lowered his head and kept a steady eye across from them. He spoke absolutely boring stuff. The last thing he ate was a bowl of carrots, green beans, and a small serving of mashed potatoes. The facility was out of many of the main dishes, so he opted for whatever was left, which suited him. Then he mentioned how he wanted to explore the haunted cemeteries in New Orleans one day, just to see her smile. And what made Luna laugh was when he convinced Faisal that he'd seen a Barmanu while exercising one evening. Her smile brightened his day.

Then he promised her that the next Halloween, all three of them would dress as gremlins, with her as Gizmo.

Amir talked to her about anything, hoping to distract her from where they were going and who they were with. Of course, it was nearly impossible with Chase and his minions staring at them, but he continued without hesitation.

Her heart rate finally slowed once they passed the demolished Hollywood sign, and he got an even better look at the grisly scenery. He must have seen at least four thousand charred bodies, skulls, and wreckage lying in the streets of Los Angeles, as well as destroyed homes and businesses. It didn't even look like the same city he'd seen on TV, and it made him wonder what Pakistan looked like right now. That thought shook his nerves.

What were they about to face now? Become confined again? He questioned Chase's intention to keep them alive as he watched him open his eyes and smooth his hands across his blue jeans. The organization's obsession with creating the perfect race by breeding superhumans could only take them so far. Chase also had it out for him and Luna. She did, after all, put him in a coma for several months, and they had taken down several soldiers; helped break out their family and allies who were prisoners at Ramsey; and revealed what they were before the rest of the world finally woke up.

Heck, what he and Luna did could have played a role in why the organization chose this time to take drastic action. They chose to send out their brainwashed assassins.

When the helicopter landed safely, the doors were immediately drawn open. Amir caught his first glimpse of where they were when Moon leaned back. All he saw was a tall chain-link fence around a desert and more demolished structures beyond that.

They were on the roof of a massive building that stood tall and wide as far as the eye could see. Row after row of wings, with two planes and four tanks nearby. Other major impediments to devising an escape strategy. A wide and tall U-shaped building stood ahead.

And a crew of soldiers and people in scrubs.

"Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base," Chase said as he walked past them. Amir expected workers to reach for their hands and hold them down once they passed through the lines. But they didn't. "The entire area is under lockdown. No one enters or exits. And anyone who registers as a 'Superhuman' must stay put or be shot on sight."

Register?

Chase turned his neck around and sneered. "Yes, Amir. That's the new law across the world. Everyone has to register their superhuman status."

Amir centered his attention on his skull. Chase had a target on the back of his head. Not only for what he did to Luna, but also for his family, his cousin, and every other life he had touched with his twisted hands. He was looking forward to the day when he could repay Chase tenfold.

"Why are we here?" Luna demanded.

He continued to walk quickly. "The base is set up to deal with anyone who gets out of hand."

Meaning that there were weaponized hisyl and stones, as well as a handful of other delightful chemicals concocted by BARDA over the years.

"You didn't answer my question," Luna replied.

"You'll find out when we step inside."

They came to a stop in front of a steel door. Chase turned to the side, looking back at the group, and for the first time in Amir's life, he noticed something new in his wicked gaze.

Amir sensed Chase's fear.

Huh . . . ?

The door swung open, metal grinding when it revealed a brightly lit staircase and one person standing in the center. Hands stuffed into faded, torn jean pockets.

Luna came to a halt, and her body slammed into his back.

"It's about time you two got out. I was getting worried." Titus grinned broadly as he rocked back on the heels of his sneakers. "But I think you're missing a few people, Chase."

He tensed as he inhaled deeply through his nostrils. "I didn't see Sefora when we grabbed Amir and Luna, and Sam was underneath a car the last time I checked."

The grin had faded. "Well, that's a bummer."

Amir had no idea why Titus would want either person who stayed behind. Specifically, Sam. He shook his head as he looked at him. "What the heck is going on, Titus?"

His brow furrowed. "Easy, Killer. Is this how you say thank you? I got you guys out of a jam, and you'd still be undergoing painful treatments if I hadn't." He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at him. "I'd appreciate a thank you and possibly a hug. I'm feeling extremely vulnerable."

Before he could respond, Kian strolled through the door behind them. Titus smiled and walked over to him, tossing a long silver braid over his shoulder.

"You made it back," Titus said. "Did you take a blocker?"

Amir gripped Luna's hand as he wondered what was going on and where Nadia was.

He nodded. "I swallowed my last one, but I'll be fine. I can keep myself under control."

"I know you can. Nadia and I will see to it," Titus told him.

"How . . . how is she?" He held Titus's attention. "Please tell me she didn't—"

"Calm down, brother," Titus said, taking his hands from his pockets. "Your sister took a massive blow to the head, but she is getting better. Someone will take you to her."

The guy nodded, then turned when one of the soldiers pivoted, and the two disappeared into the corridor.

Amir rushed forward, clutching Titus's shoulder. "What was that about? And where is everyone?"

Titus's smile reappeared. "It's all right. There's no need to Hulk out on me. You're safe. Even with Chase in tow. You won't be a problem, right?" His gaze shifted to Chase, a piercing demand in his eyes.

Chase looked like he had something extremely uncomfortable shoved into a very awkward place.

His silence did not calm him, but even if Chase had said yes, he would not have been convinced. Amir didn't budge. Neither did Luna.

Titus sighed and raised his hands. "This is not a trick, or a drill, or an ambush. Your family is here. Colin Decker, too. He's waiting for us, and I'm more than willing to explain everything to you, but I'm not going to do it while standing here. Not when I've just finished a perfectly crafted Mac and Cheese pizza and ready to gorge myself like I'm at a buffet. I seriously miss buffets."

Amir stared at him.

"What? The entire planet is practically destroyed, and it took a lot of effort for me to make my pizza," he replied. "Every kind of pizza is banging."

Chase muttered under his breath, "God, you could have gone far in the program."

Titus locked his gaze on him and spoke in a barely audible voice to those around them. "And you're really putting my nerves to the test right now. You don't want that to happen, do you?"

Holy crap.

Amir was stunned when Chase's skin turned whiter than a sheet of toilet paper. He was terrified of him. He looked at Luna to see if she was paying attention, and her wide eyes confirmed it.

"I also grabbed some grape juice," Titus added. "I made sure to get plenty for my BTA."

"What does 'BTA' stand for, Titus?" Greer asked.

He turned to face him and said, "Hello, stranger. It's great to see you." Titus put his hand on Greer's shoulder. "Thank you for getting them out."

"Does that mean my debt is paid?" he asked. "I returned your favor."

Titus laughed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I haven't forgotten our deal. Your record is shiny and new."

Amir realized at that moment that no matter what he did or decided from now on, there was a risk, and he never knew where he stood with anyone, including Titus.

"And 'BTA' stands for Best Tethered Ally," he explained, beaming. "That's Amir."

Amir's gaze rested on him. "I swear to you if you're messing with us—"

"Calm down, A-Bomb," Titus interrupted. "I've got you. And, while I may not appear to be threatened, I am. So, 'Aluna,' can we move this group along?"

"Yes, please," Luna moaned, nodding at Amir.

Titus pivoted on his heel, clapping his hands together. They descended a flight of stairs before exiting on the third floor. Greer had gone the opposite way. Amir was reminded of the asylum they'd just escaped from. Long corridors. Closed doors. Strange antiseptic stench.

Titus opened a pair of double doors with his foot and caught one side with his hand. A guard followed him in, and in there, as he'd claimed, was a Macaroni pizza on one side of a long counter. Colin Decker sat at the table on the opposite side, legs kicked up and arms folded behind his neck.

When the door closed behind them and only Chase entered, Amir knew something strange was going on. He'd never gone anywhere without his Entourage Of Idiots.

Titus had a hold on Chase, and that made him giddy.

"You're okay," Luna exhaled as she broke free from Amir, limping around a metal chair. "I was worried about you."

Colin pulled his long legs away from the table and stood up. A second later, he grasped her. "Of course. My family is here, too. I got them out of Japan before the bombs fell."

"The bombs . . . ?" Luna's voice faltered, and Colin narrowed his eyes.

He glanced away, slightly nodding. "Things have gotten worse."

Titus frowned. "Only Sergeant Decker deserves a hug?"

He was ignored, and Amir chuckled.

"Sorry." Luna's voice was muffled in Titus's arms. "A lot has been going on."

"Indeed." He smiled and stepped back, relinquishing her embrace for a moment, and then reached for a chair. "Take a seat. I'll grab you two a drink."

She nodded, then slid into one of the folding chairs. "Where is Sarah? And why is Chase here?"

Colin opened his mouth but snapped it shut when he sat back. Amir wasn't sure how much they all knew, but he couldn't get into that until their questions were answered.

He raised an eyebrow at Titus, who began cutting into a thick slice of pizza. "Well?"

"Chase is going to cooperate for us," Titus said, nudging a piece of macaroni back into place.

Chase sat across from them, looking as if he was about to break something. "Believe me, if I had a choice, none of you would be here right now."

Titus tsked softly. "That's not very comforting. If you don't have anything nice to say, Chase, shut up."

Amir was baffled. He adjusted himself and glared at him while Titus ate his pizza. "What's preventing you from taking us out?"

"Let's just say everyone has an Achilles' heel, and I discovered his." Titus began cutting another slice of pizza and started nibbling on it. "It's not pretty. Even I didn't want to go there. But it had to be done."

That didn't tell him anything.

"Sarah and your family are on the first and second floors," he continued between mouthfuls of macaroni and cheese dripping on his plate. "But I don't think anyone should see you in your current condition. No offense."

Amir took in their appearance before returning his gaze to the hybrid. "None taken." They were all filthy.

Luna moved closer. "Is my baby okay?"

Titus grinned, a piece of cheese hanging from his bottom lip. "She misses both of you and talks about you guys all the time. We have a bathroom and hygiene supplies in a bedroom prepared for you."

Amir sniffed, then nodded. "Shukria."

"You're welcome, A-Bomb." Titus winked.

A-Bomb?

"How . . . how did you all end up together?" Luna asked, clearing her throat.

"Nadia and I rushed to the community after both of you went unconscious," Titus explained. "But we didn't have time to evacuate or hide before BARDA took control."

Chase's lips formed a tight line.

"They thought they had us." He sipped his glass of grape juice. "But—"

"You said you were working on that," she said, glancing at a silent Chase. "A way to deal with them?"

"I'm a very well-connected person," Titus explained, his mouth full of pizza. "I proved just how well connected I am when they stopped us at the gate and General Davenport rode in like he was the biggest, baddest thing on this side of the planet."

"What did you do?" Luna watched Chase.

"Like I said before, everyone has an Achilles' heel." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. "There are two things in this entire world that Chase would throw his family in front of a tank for—if his family still claims him because I'm pretty sure he was formed in the ground—and they are Matthew and a dozen baby Hybrids."

"Hybrid babies?" Amir uttered.

"Like you?" she asked.

He nodded. "Like me."

"Fun fact: most of the hybrids and older origins who left with the organization to retrieve you guys aren't thrilled with their treatment." Colin smiled, but it was devoid of laughter. "Those who were loyal, well . . ."

"Pussies," Chase hissed. "Do you realize how long it took to nurture something so principled and organized—?"

"Something?" Luna's voice grew darker. "See, that's why you're demented. The Hybrids and the Origins aren't something. They are living, breathing people, just like any other creation made by BARDA."

"You don't get it." Chase gave Luna a piercing glare, and Amir hissed. "You've never worked for something for so long and then had it taken away from you."

"Oh, that's rich coming from you," she growled. "You're nothing more than a monster."

Chase's face was flushed with fury.

"And, yes, I've had something taken away from me," she added. "Everyone in the world has. Don't be such a baby."

Colin chuckled in his seat, and Amir nodded, smiling at her.

"Anyway, Matthew and the baby specimens mean a lot to this douche, and I have them hidden," Titus said as he finished his slice. "Tell them what the big bosses wanted, Mr. Marquette?"

Amir nearly choked on his drink at the mention of Chase's surname. He despised that man so much.

Chase gripped the table's edges. "When I woke in Toronto, they advised me to tell them where the most recent batch of Hybrids that Dr. Kim and Alisha Bankole were working on was."

"So, Chasey Boy, there is someone higher than you?" she snarled. "Things are starting to make sense."

He ignored her comment and stayed quiet for a moment.

"You didn't do what they wanted?" Luna countered.

"No. I told someone I thought was a trusted friend, so he could rescue them," Chase explained.

"And that trusted friend happened to owe me a favor," Titus said, smiling and laughing. "The joys of having your own currency. You make the rules."

"That's how you got him to cooperate?" Amir asked, and Titus nodded.

"Among other things. We've been here for six weeks. It's been . . . manageable."

Chase grunted across the table, folding his arms.

Titus flipped him off. "Our buddy here knows that if he harms even one hair on any of our bodies, or even annoyingly looks at us . . ."

His casual indifference slipped off his face like a mask. When Chase turned to face him, Titus leaned forward, his eyes glowing like orange diamonds.

Amir was seeing the Titus who made grown men piss themselves, the Titus he didn't want to be on the wrong side of, and the Titus who was downright disturbing when his features intensified.

"Chase knows I can kill all of the children in seconds, and I can do something to Matthew that he will never know about." Titus tsked. "And if my people don't hear from me, even if I can't get to a phone in time, he will die. This punk has nothing on me."

Luna stared at Titus as if she hadn't seen him before.

Amir did not doubt that the hybrid was capable of doing something like that. He'd do it, no matter how messy or wrong it was, but he didn't think he would ever let those kids fall back into the organization's hands.

And he wondered if he truly believed that. Titus, on the other hand, had the upper hand now. "How come you didn't just kill Chase?"

"He's kind of important to us," Colin said. "At least, we need the government to provide a refuge until . . . well, hopefully, things will get better. We also had to get you two out—"

"Because of your tethered awesomeness," Titus blurted, slipping back into the not-so-disturbing Hybrid mobster.

Colin gave him a blank stare. "It would be difficult to compete against so many Trojans and Defectives. Chase is currently a necessary evil."

"And boy, do we mean evil." Titus sighed. "There are very few habitable places now, and about forty percent of the population remains."

Amir looked at Luna as her bottom lip quivered. "Only forty?" she muttered.

"Give or take a few," Colin replied. "Many regions are a toxic wasteland. They're in worse shape than Los Angeles."

"How . . ." Amir started, then cleared his throat. "How is the situation in Southeast Asia? In Pakistan?"

When each of the men narrowed their eyes, including Chase, none of them responded.

Colin then raised his head and opened his mouth. "Gone. There is nothing to return to. BARDA has seized complete control of almost every location around the globe, requiring people to register their superhuman status."

Amir's eyes widened as he listened to Colin.

"Some countries and states are barely hanging on, but the organization has defenses in place. Only three major cities in the states are still standing. Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago."

"Oh God," Luna uttered.

"The world has changed a lot while you've been in hibernation, Rogue," Titus said. "There wasn't anything anyone could've done to stop it."

Luna wiped a few tears with her palm. "Where . . . where are the survivors?"

"Most of the resistance is underground," Chase said unexpectedly. "The Trojans are ordered to kill anyone caught above ground."

"Speaking of which," Titus murmured, his eyes locked on her. "You've been activated, but not completely. It's as if it's waiting to be turned on."

Colin's eyes narrowed, and Amir gripped the edge of his seat, worried that they'd do something to her. "She has self-control."

"I can sense it," Titus said, "but she's still a risk. When that switch is flipped, we might need to—"

"Don't," Amir warned, his eyes boring into his. "She's not going to go after anyone."

"She won't until she kills," Colin said. "Or if BARDA takes action on their end."

Luna shook her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That's not going to happen. I felt a surge of energy earlier, but it's gone now."

Amir grasped her hand and squeezed it.

Then she pressed her lips together and said, "Is Cami here? I have something I need to tell her."

Titus pushed his plate to the side, his gaze zeroing in on her. "She's on the second floor."

Amir and Luna exchanged glances as she cleared her throat. It stung to know what she was about to say. She was about to explain Faisal's death, and he would have to do the same the next time he saw his family.

"It's about how I'm activated," she whispered, her chest rising and falling. "I've done something—"

There was noise coming from outside the door before she could finish her sentence. Amir's stomach clenched as he recognized the voice. It had a distinct, deep but also high tone.

Then, as the person became louder, it confirmed his suspicions. But it couldn't be true. No way.

Luna gasped.

Amir stood up. The floor under his feet shifted, and he clasped his knees together. He was rocked from head to toe and couldn't believe it.

How?

A soft knock came on the door, and a soldier opened it, allowing the person to enter. His eyes practically bulged out of their sockets the moment they landed on someone he thought was gone forever. It didn't make sense.

His heart pounded and wouldn't stop as he uttered one word. "Faisal?"

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Yes, I couldn't let Faisal go that quickly. He's a fan favorite of both the author and her readers. I love you. Here is some macaroni pizza, with a side of Faisal. He's much better than a breadstick. Surprise!