ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Tethered ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Chapter 25

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• Luna •

The car doors opened once Greer shut off the engine. Luna was the last person to scramble out of her seat and unbuckle the seat belt, which was awful for her; she hated to feel like the last one at the party.

Amir commanded, "Stay low."

Huh? He indicated for her to crouch when he noticed the expression on her face. She gave him a shady glare. "What? I can hold my own, but I'm no superhero," she said.

"You're a great fighter, Luna." Greer walked around the front of the Explorer like they were entering a convenience store. "You could be a half-master swordsman."

She gave him a sly smile. "I appreciate that."

"She would make a hot swordsman," Amir said, grinning at her. "I need you two to hold on for a second."

Yeah, she was not going to listen to that, but Greer grabbed her arm and stopped her before she could waddle into the street. He firmly gripped her and uttered, "Seriously. Don't move."

She attempted to free herself from his grip, but the Diesel slammed into a car, stopping her in her tracks with a loud crash of metal.

The truck was barreling down the road at full speed just as Amir walked straight out into the middle of the road, shoulders slumped and arms raised. His expression showed concentration.

While he stood there, legs spread and his back straightened, he displayed a striking image. Like a god was about to collide with a giant.

Amir was shrouded in a glimmer of gold light, and from where Luna was standing, she could see his veins shine from within, a bright tan hue that followed a network of lines across his jawline and down his neck before fading away under the collar of his shirt and then resurfacing along his limbs.

She had never seen him this way before, but she could sense what he was about to do. She believed that she was the only one with this ability.

Amir froze time.

The car paused, pushing the travelers forward while the atmosphere around them hummed with energy. Even though he had stopped the vehicle, he was powerless to freeze the Defectives inside. She was awed just from staring at Amir while he focused on stopping them. She had only ever frozen other people once accidentally, and it took a lot of energy to do so.

But he didn't seem bothered.

Her husband kept going.

The Diesel looked like it was attached to some sort of ethereal thread as Amir cocked his arm. The force of the vehicle snapped back after he unfroze them, but gravity couldn't carry that amount of strength.

The truck struck a perfect pose on its front two wheels, floated for a moment, and then tipped over with the force of an ape. The roof caved in, crunching metal.

Greer said, "Boo-yah. That's what you get for messing with the king."

Luna stumbled, "How . . . how did Amir do that?"

"By being tethered to his wife. No other explanations needed." Greer winked at her.

The Defectives didn't stop moving for long. The doors squeaked before exploding in pale light. Six of them burst forth and rushed viciously in the trio's direction.

"These baddies don't want to stop," screamed Amir.

Greer uttered "Nope" from behind Luna. "Let's destroy them."

"Let me take them out." Amir crunched down in anticipation of the immense impact the Defectives would have. "Stay back."

"Huh?" Luna gazed at Greer.

And he agreed, shaking his head. "Amir can't expect us to stay out of the fun."

Greer let go of Luna's arm as the hood of a nearby beaten and rusted BMW was ripped off and thrown across the street like a football. The hood slashed one of the Defectives in half, and there was no turning back, invincible or not.

Hell yeah.

After she saw Greer's downright evil grin, she skidded to a halt.

"One down, five more to go," he said.

"That was awesome," Amir complimented him, capturing one of the Defectives by the neck. He physically power-bombed the man on the road, then pavement cracked, and a dark substance smeared all over the street.

One Defective made a mistake and pursued Luna. She focused her attention on what she wanted to accomplish by raising her arm and summoning her power. When she first started using her new abilities, a lot of things slapped her in the face or landed on the ground.

But today?

Nothing.

Luna flung the woman against the side of an eighteen-wheeler when two Defectives were less than a foot apart. She wished she could forget the nauseating thump, but she couldn't. Sprinting forward, she let her spark whip pass through the Defective's body, piercing her opponent's chest. The woman then burst into flames and quickly fizzled away.

Amir cocked a wry grin. "Badass."

He had the same Defective he'd beaten to a pulp by the shoulders. Then he brought his knee up, making contact between the man's legs. Something had broken, and Luna didn't care what it was. When she turned around, her husband was cocking his arm back and breaking another Defective's nose. Electricity whipped through him as he let go, sending a shockwave into both Defective's skulls.

"Stay out of my head!" Greer's voice sounded from the back.

Greer stood in front of Luna, holding a riffle. When their gazes met, fear erupted in her chest like shotgun blasts. Her breath caught in her throat when she stood still. She could only see the barrel of the gun and the spark that occurred when the trigger was pulled. She braced herself for the agony of the metal ripping through her body.

But it never happened.

She turned after hearing a body tumble to the grass behind her and shrieked when she saw a female Defective lying facedown on the ground in a pool of silvery liquid.

"Bullet to the center of their skull," Greer said. "Even they can't recover from that. Not with this weapon."

Amir spun and shot a blast of energy at the final Defective, pinning him against a nearby U-Haul and saying, "You cheated, Greer."

Greer slipped the gun behind his back while muttering, "Your point?" He grinned. "I always try to conserve energy when I can."

Luna brushed her hair away from her eyes as she scanned the gritty scene, her stomach churning. "Is that everyone?"

Greer examined the area. "I think so."

Luna hoped that was the case. She wasn't sure if any of them could take another round as she swung her body to where Amir was kneeling. Her chest tightened and her heart spasmed. Red spots began to appear at the corners of Amir's lips.

She stumbled and jerked toward him. "You're injured!"

"I'm fine," Amir told her, but the sight of him—of her husband wounded—rattled her to the core. "I took a hit, but I'll be all right. You won't even know it was there in a few seconds."

That did very little to lessen the anxiety that was growing inside of her.

Greer added, "Amir is really okay. He'll heal fast, especially since he is an Alpha."

She wasn't quite sure what he was getting at at first, but she soon remembered that Amir had been injected with a healing serum created by the organization that had done wonders for its recipients.

"By the way, guys," Greer said, his eyes settled on them. "None of us need to use our abilities. Just in case."

Both Amir and Luna nodded.

"We have to get moving." Amir took her hand in his and led her to their car. "More Defectives may notice us, and it won't be long before they figure out what we're up to. We don't need them to follow us."

That would be bad.

Really bad.

• • •

After several hours, Luna eventually dozed off again. Dawn was just starting to break along the midwest horizon when she opened her eyes, painting the sky a vivid shade of turquoise. They were still hours away from Chicago by the time Greer had taken an exit ramp and pulled into a small abandoned motel tucked away on the outskirts of Des Moines, Iowa. They had put so many hours and miles between them and the last town.

While the men inspected the property, she waited in the car.

Fortunately, Amir found a suitable room in the back, where their car could be parked facing the exit road. He didn't seem concerned that anyone would sense their presence, but she kept expecting more Defectives and BARDA agents to emerge out of nowhere.

"This place doesn't feel so shady," Amir said as he took their luggage from the trunk. "We should be able to get cleaned up and rest. Greer is staying in a room on the opposite side to keep an eye on things over there."

Luna nodded and trailed behind him, exhausted, scanning the dim parking lot. There were two rusted cars and nothing else. Only a "Rooms Available" sign remained.

When he stepped through the door, she asked, "Are you sure it's safe?"

Amir took a deep breath and placed the bag close to the window. "We checked everywhere, and there are no signs of people walking around or in the rooms."

"So, when everything went . . . crazy, the guests left most of their belongings?"

He nodded. "It seems so. These rooms have been unoccupied even before the war. I imagine that this motel was barely making any money."

"Possibly."

The room was adequate. The bed linens on the queen-sized bed looked clean and didn't smell horrible, not of disinfectant but of a pleasant flower garden scent.

There was one bed. No couch, just a burnt brown chair in the corner next to the wooden desk. Everything else seemed to be fine.

"I wonder how long it has been since anyone has stayed in this room. Since it looks so . . . clean."

While shifting items inside one of the bags, Amir chuckled. "You should check the bathroom. It's a little dusty, but it's almost like it has never been used. Both the toilet and the bathtub are practically clean."

Something struck her after he said that. "Could people be nearby and watching this place? Like camping out to see who comes and robs them?"

When Amir looked out the window, he pursed his lips. "I seriously doubt it. Greer and I can't detect anyone."

Luna fell silent for a short moment.

"Do you sense someone else, Moon?"

She shook her head. "Just Greer."

He looked over his shoulder and opened the door. "Good. This place didn't have power at first, but we walked around to the circuit board and fried it." Amir flipped a switch, and a burst of light streaked across the ceiling. "Let there be light." He grinned.

Luna let out a quiet laugh. "Thank you. We do need energy."

"And food." He took a step back after securing the door, then walked over to the cooler and looked inside. "We're down to three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a few chocolate bars, and four water bottles. I'm going to raid the snack machine in the front once you're settled in."

Luna yawned and began to lie down, but he suddenly sat next to her.

"I wish I had some kind of warning when you do that," she mused. "That way, you won't accidentally give me a heart attack."

Amir raised a brow. "I certainly don't want that to happen."

"I smell like dirt, sweat, and tears."

He laughed. "And you think I don't?"

"No. You're flawless and can pull off looking filthy."

He bit his lower lip. "There's my wife. Always self-conscious about her appearance."

Luna narrowed her eyes. "Only around you."

"As I said before, Moon, you don't have to be. Now get up. I'd like to take a good look at you."

She was fairly certain he'd gotten a decent and familiar look at her before the road trip went downhill. "I'm all right."

"I'd like to see for myself."

She was too tired to argue, so she let him lead her into the bathroom, then winced after she sat on the toilet. "I think I bruised my butt."

"I will take a look at that, too."

She smiled, ignoring the soft tug on her bottom lip. "I'm sure you'd like that."

"I've always liked your butt. You know that."

Amir disappeared from the room and returned with a bottle of peroxide and a bag of cotton balls.

She questioned why he needed those items when he could instantly heal her. His previous cut had also faded. And no small healing would disclose their location. Right?

He set them on the counter before kneeling, then began rolling up her jeans while he reached down.

"Why are you dressing the wound on my legs? You could heal me." The lithe red marks on Amir's eyelids and jaw caught her attention briefly.

He raised his brows when he pushed her pants legs up above her knees. "I'd prefer to look after you the old-fashioned way. Besides, we don't need to take any chances. That wouldn't do us any good."

Amir had a point, but her body still hurt. They were safe for the moment, and she wanted to keep it that way. "I can do this."

He picked up the bottle and gave it a shake. "Don't argue with your doctor."

"God, you can be so infuriating sometimes."

His smile tightened.

"I've never seen you stop time before. And it was pretty hot when you battled three Defectives between the two tankers." Luna stared at the top of his hair. "I think I forget sometimes that we are human beings, not just people with superpowers."

He lifted his head, his eyes settled on her. "I don't like it when you're in a vulnerable position."

Luna barked out a laugh. "It's funny how you just said me and didn't include Greer in that confession."

Amir licked his lips, smirking. "Well, I'm not married to him, and I'm not sleeping with him. That, I believe, settles the matter."

"You have a point, yet again."

Chin lowered, he examined her knees. "But you are right, Moon. I don't like anyone around me in awful situations. Even if we tried, we couldn't outrun them. The Defectives was nearly unstoppable."

That was true. The enemies showed up wearing their game faces.

"And I realized while we were watching . . . you know . . . the disaster in the previous town that we needed to continue our mission," he added, sniffing. "I want you, me, our daughter, and our allies to survive this war."

"I do, too." Luna swallowed as she glanced at the ceiling, quietly counting the panels on the wall. "Do you trust what Titus said about who this guy is?"

"You mean Zander?"

She shook her head. "No, not him. The other one. The leader."

"I'm . . . I'm not sure. I guess we'll find out when we get there."

He dabbed the angry skid marks on her skin, and she hissed. Her skin pricked, bringing new tears to her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Amir picked up her left hand after he finished with her knees.

His grip was so gentle that her chest squeezed.

"A part of me really wants to heal you right now," he said, sadness etched in his throat while he smoothed a clean cotton ball over her palm. "But another part of me says I shouldn't."

"Amir . . ." Luna took a breath and lifted his chin with the tip of her finger. "What makes you and Greer think that using our abilities could set off our location?"

He gave a little shake of his head. "For me, it's just a gut feeling."

"Like when you stopped the Diesel in mid-air?"

He nodded. "I felt this sensation take over me as if I knew exactly what to do. Was it the same when you stopped time?"

Luna shook her head. "No. I did it by accident."

They both smiled and looked at each other.

"We're going to make it, okay?"

She nodded slightly, holding his hand.

"I need to finish getting you cleaned up so that we can enjoy the rest of our morning," he said, smiling.

"Thank you," she quipped when she rose to her feet.

Amir took a step forward, his dark eyes focused on her.

"I mean, thank you for keeping them away from us," she clarified. "Anything could have happened out there."

He drew her close, cupping her jaw. "Why do you think you need to thank me for that?"

She stared at him in a daze. She wasn't expecting a big your-welcome or "anytime," but wow, he never could take a thank-you well. "Because . . ."

"You're my wife. And, for the time being, Greer is a friend and an ally, so it is my responsibility to make sure that both of you are safe."

"It doesn't have to be that way." Luna reached for his hand, drawing it toward her chest. "We're capable of handling anything."

"I know, but I still like to be in control when I can."

She burst out laughing.

"You should smile more. And . . ." He paused, looking at the shower head. "You should shower. Then relax. You'll feel refreshed."

She was at a loss for words. What Amir said was true, but arguing with him was not going to help.

He bent down and twisted the knob, inhaling deeply as water began to pour out. He brought his attention back to her and smiled. "There. The water is hot and bubbling."

"You just used your abilities."

Amir arched his brow. "This was a situation that felt like I needed to. I hope it doesn't hurt us in the end."

"Same here."

He then gave her a gentle kiss, stayed quiet, and left the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

She stayed stagnant for a few seconds longer, trying to process the entire road trip and what she'd seen. They'd been driving for nearly twenty hours and her mind was ready to shut off. Nothing was happening between her ears, and it felt like her brain's wheels had ripped.

Moaning, she undressed and stepped into the bath.

She winced when she stood under the pelting hot stream, the water slicing over numerous bruises and cuts. She wasn't sure what it was about those tiny licks of agony, but tears welled up and she couldn't stop them this time.

She had no idea why she was crying. Was it the war?

Was it for her family? Or was it just total exhaustion?

Luna remained in the shower until she took control of herself and quickly dried off with the thin towel they brought with them, then she slipped on a long shirt. By then, the sun had risen, filling the room with soft light.

Amir stood by the window, his back to the bathroom. "I left a sandwich, a chocolate bar, and a water bottle beside the bed. You should eat and get some rest."

The covers were pulled down, and her gaze went back to him. "Have you had anything to eat?"

"Not yet, but I will after I shower."

"Wow. You're full of surprises. I was expecting you to join me in there."

He pursed his lips into a thin line. "Even my wife needs to have her personal space. I wanted to respect that, Moon."

Luna smiled while she climbed into bed and tucked her legs under the blanket. While she ate and drank her calorie-laden sweets, he hurried into the bathroom and took a shower.

She wiggled down and waited, folding her hands under her pillow.

Amir emerged minutes later, his black pants hanging low on his hips. His cheeks and neck were covered in wet, tousled hair. Then he walked over to the large double windows, his movements stiffer than usual, and yanked the fruit curtains closed. A sliver of sunlight streaked across the top of them.

Curled up on her side, she watched him walk across the room.

"A?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Are you sure you're all right?"

Amir stood next to the door, his hand on the doorframe. "Yeah. You don't have to worry about me."

She smirked. That was a poor response.

After a few minutes, he leaned back against the wall. "I need to check in with Greer and do a quick patrol."

"I'm sure he's all right."

"That's not what I was referring to," he clarified before reaching for the luggage bags and pulling out a clean sweatshirt. "We need to discuss our road plans. Who drives and all."

"Oh."

Amir smiled after he took a deep breath and turned to face her, slowly opening the door. "Please get some sleep. We're in for a long drive later."

"But—"

"For once, Moon, listen to me."

Luna pushed herself up, her back to the bed frame. "I'm not that tired."

"I know. I can sense your energy."

In the lull of their conversation, movement was heard in the shrubs.

"Oh, my God!" When Luna stood to her feet, her heart sank. "What was that?"

Amir hurriedly put on his boots and dashed toward the door.

Then there was another sound, and instinct took over, tingling her skin. "That's them!"

"Moon?" He quickly stepped in front of her, his breathing heavy.

"We need to go. Now."

"Please, baby, stay back. Let me handle this."

Amir leaned down and spoke with his lips close to her ear when she hesitated. "Don't go outside, whatever you do."

She didn't move when he pulled away. Her mind was racing through a million different scenarios, and she was confused. And why was he calm? Someone was keeping an eye on them. But for how long?

She moved closer to him. "They know we're here."

"I don't . . ." He paused, holding her stare. "We don't know that."

"We need to go there and take 'em' out!"

"No. Greer will stay with you while I go check it out."

She shook her head, furious. "I'm not going to let you do that."

"Please." He pushed them into the bathroom and shut the door. "Keep the doors locked and don't go outside of this room."

"Amir!"

"I'll be back," he promised, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

Amir turned and walked away.

Whatever was going on outside was rushing through Luna's mind, but she didn't question it. Instead, she kept quiet for several minutes, until nothing else could be heard. She sat on the floor and prayed they'd be safe and her husband would come back to her. She had no other choice but to lean on faith. She feared their lives were in jeopardy . . . once again.

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