ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Tethered ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Chapter 30

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• Luna •

Luna wasn't sure what woke her. The room was calm after the first heavy rainstorm. Peaceful. Amir breathed quietly, his arm around her waist.

Moonlight covered the ceiling when she turned over. She remembered Sarah and their last genuine mother-daughter conversation. She missed those moments and wanted the three of them reunited after the war.

Would it end? Completely? Because the people they were fighting had caused these things to happen so that a battle could start. And—?

The room suddenly became constrained. More dreadful, anxiety-inducing questions were tossed at her, indicating that her subconscious had decided to start disturbing her. Will she forget what life was like before everything went to hell? Will any of them survive—

"Stop it," she said to herself, her fists clenching.

Was she going to see Sarah or her family again? Was someone holding them hostage at the base right now? What were they going to do when they arrived in Chicago?

Her throat constricted, and she snatched off her tank top, slipping on her bra, button-down sweater, and white leggings. She jumped out of bed, spun around, and dashed to the bedroom door. Wrenching it open, she quietly walked downstairs, her bare feet humming on the steps. A little lamp beside the couch had been left on, providing a dim light around the room.

Luna stopped on her way to the kitchen when she came to a side door that led out to a covered porch. "What am I doing?"

"That's a good question."

She spun around, gasping, to see Greer standing in the dining area. "God." She took a deep breath and placed her hand on her chest. "You frightened me."

He arched his brow and looked at her.

Alrighty, then. She looked around. "I . . . I couldn't sleep."

Greer chuckled.

While she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the silence stretched between them. This was starting to feel awkward. "I'm guessing you're not going to sleep?"

"I will in a bit. I was patrolling the outside, making sure that no one was nearing the house without our knowledge."

"Good thinking."

"I wouldn't be a guard if I didn't think, Mrs. Khan."

She laughed softly while she twisted her fingers around the hem of her sleep pants. "Have you gotten any sleep?"

He nodded and moved toward the doorway. "I took a cat nap. Quick, sweet, and suitable for several hours."

That seemed simple. If only she could sleep for five minutes and have enough energy to do everything she wanted. That would beat all her superpowers.

Glancing back at him, she smiled a little. "I had no idea you were always like this."

"It's fine." Greer moved in closer, his eyes settled on her. "Are you going to be okay? I need to get the rest of our luggage to the car."

Luna cocked her head and furrowed her brow. "Why? We weren't supposed to leave until after five, right?"

He lifted his head. "No, Amir has decided that it would be ideal to leave as soon as possible, which means within the next hour or so. We're determining the best route."

"The best—" While she stood there, puzzled, her voice trailed off. "I thought we were following the map Titus gave us."

Greer pursed his lips before laughing. "We were following it until we hit a minor stag."

"A stag? What kind of stag?"

He then shifted his gaze away and turned around. "It's nothing to be concerned about. We're determined to get to Chicago as smoothly as possible."

She opened her mouth to say that he could be more open and less vague with her, but it was too late.

Greer had already left.

He'd moved so quickly that the ends of her hair raised, leaving her standing in the kitchen as if she'd been talking to herself.

"What's going on?" she muttered.

She faced the fridge, caressing her temples. She was queasy at the notion of eating, but she was frustrated, so food was the best option—

Idle door hinges creaked, filling the air.

Slowly, Luna twisted. The outside door looked normal. There was no source of the sound. The closet and office door was partially open.

What in the world?

After she reached another door near the garbage can, she touched the cool knob and opened it. The hinges squeaked when musty air surrounded her. Once she saw the stairs, her heart skipped a beat. "Greer?"

She knew something was wrong when she heard nothing.

She stared at the door. Oddly hanging. It had probably not been attached. After closing it, she froze. A misty cloud appeared in front of her face when she exhaled. Bumps emerged after the temperature dropped.

Her focus returned to the dark staircase. The kitchen beam seemed to meet an invisible wall and kept it from reaching the shadows since it was so dark she could only see the two steps inside whatever room was below.

On the second step, the stairs' pitch-black darkness rolled like oil over the newly refurbished wood.

That was crazy.

Really crazy.

Crazy, like maybe this house was haunted.

She retreated while holding the door. Shadows rippled across the wall. Smokey wisps made the air chilly.

The cool air muffled her shriek.

When something entered the room with her, she lifted her hands to attack it.

A thick darkness tightened and wafted. White blurs formed a shape. Legs. Wide torso. Shoulders and arms squared. Round. Dark, iridescent body.

A Lazarus Soul—and a dark one at that.

Walking forward, the Being reached the first step. He sauntered along like a lizard, his head bent to one side. A sound was heard. 'You . . . can't . . . be . . . here.'

Holy crap, his voice was speaking to her in her head.

An arm was raised. A startled heartbeat later, The Being's fingers withdrew after forming palms. 'But you . . . are special.'

Luna thought of Titus, the young girl, and the words only she had heard in a crowded room when she heard the voice.

The phantom body blurred and resurfaced while approaching. Fingers clenched. A pulling sensation forced her to move forward before she could stop it.

Once more reaching out, the Being muttered, 'What . . . what are you?'

What was she?

Luna's mind kept coming back to that question.

The Lazarus Soul made another sound, a cross between a growl and a gasp. The thing lost its shape as it shrank back. It disappeared into the darkness clutching the punctured walls in a cloud of cold, white mist. The silhouettes in the cellar stairwell returned to their usual creepiness.

She stood with her mouth open. Did that just happen? Was that a horrifying aspiration? Like a disturbing, crazy dream.

"What are you doing?"

Luna let out a little shriek when she jumped several inches off the floor. "Amir."

His brown eyes churned while he stood just inside the kitchen. "I hope you didn't go down to the cellar."

She struggled to catch her breath, her heart pounding. "I didn't. The door just kind of opened, and a Lazarus Soul or Being or whatever we're calling it these days began to walk up the steps. I honestly thought this place was haunted."

Amir shook his head and wrapped his arms around her. "This place isn't haunted, as far as we can tell."

"Yeah, I know that now. Something so mysterious and slippery flowing in here like it owned this place was startling."

Sighing, he caressed her chin. A moment passed. He then told her what Greer found in the cellar.

Her mouth opened wide. "Well, that sounds refreshing, Amir."

"There is no one in the cellar right now, so I doubt there will be any more encounters." He shut the door and turned to face her. "I didn't tell you earlier because you were asleep."

Luna stared at him, certain her look spoke everything. Why are he and Greer now vague about details? She tried to transmit the message to her husband's thoughts, but the stones blocked it.

"Of course, I should've expected you to be actively trying to figure things out rather than waiting for one of us to come along."

"Whoa. I'm not doing anything." She broke out of her stupor. "The door opened on its own. I only walked toward it, and if you think I was playing Nancy Drew, you're wrong."

Amir's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing in the kitchen at three a.m.?"

"The rain woke me up," she confessed, surprised to see his expression loosen. She brushed it off. "And what brings you here at three a.m.?"

"I heard a branch scrape the window."

She moved her hair back from her face. "Do you know what kinds of creepy things come out of the cellar?"

As he looked at the closed door, Amir's lips twitched. "No, but I can make an educated guess."

"And don't you think you or Greer could have woken me up and explained the tunnels to me instead of being secretive?"

His jaw clenched.

"Yeah. I see that didn't occur to you, Amir. You thought it would be best if I slept, but I could have easily opened that door and fallen. Then what?"

"I thought you didn't open the door."

She growled, wanting to slam her foot into his jaw. "I never opened it. I only pushed it away for a second before something came charging at me. I thought I was having a legitimate paranormal experience."

Amir arched a brow. "We are, after all, Tethered Souls."

Her mouth dropped open as anger and frustration blended. "Whatever. Make jokes about something important. See if I care."

"Actually, I believe you care."

Raising a hand, she spanked her butt cheek while she stormed past him. "Nope. I don't care."

"Don't spank your butt at me."

She spun around and spanked the opposite cheek. "I hope you enjoyed the view."

"You're tempting me right now."

Luna looked over her shoulder once she approached the main stairs. "Hush up."

Amir laughed—truly laughed.

Infuriated, she stalked to the bedroom to gather their luggage. She went inside.

"I can't believe you told me to hush my mouth." Amir smiled, hands on his hips. "That turned me on."

From across the door frame, she turned and scowled at him. "I can't believe you think I'm intrigued by your jokes." She clutched the bedroom door. "Amir Ibrahim Khan."

As if hitting an invisible shield, the door stopped mid-swing. Oh, no. Her husband entered, looking shocked and fierce.

Perhaps it was a mistake to use his full name.

The door closed silently behind him. When she pivoted, he seemed awed. Like when people stare while they watch a shooting star. "I can't remember the last time someone told me to hush up without getting beaten to death."

"Oh, that bothers you? Well, I don't like being told that whatever I say or do turn you on."

He licked his lips. "You're . . ."

"I'm what? Finally coming out of my shell?"

She wondered if Amir was looking at the bathtub when his attention shifted from her to the bathroom after he was speechless for a moment. "When you're angry, you're stunning."

"You know what? Just save it." Her entire body rattled. "What?"

Some of his hair fell over his eyebrow when his head tipped to the side. "I said you're stunning when you're angry. And even just standing there, you glow. When you're depressed, you still look beautiful. And when you're happy, your beauty is captivating."

Luna went silent, puzzled. Her limbs were weak. She murmured, "I didn't expect that." Her chest fluttered and twisted. It felt like a sledgehammer was hitting her ribcage. Her strong, unfiltered emotion was pounded by the force of a speeding car. "Don't say such things. I'm upset."

"Upset? I like to think that you love me too much to stay mad with me," he said quietly. "Especially when we were happy, enjoying ourselves on this trip, and praying for a better tomorrow."

"You spoke my mind," she uttered, her lips close to his chin.

"I know I did."

"Because you read my mind, you jerk."

"Hmm, don't say the word jerk," he said, slightly kissing a spot above her temple. "Be careful with your words."

"Why?"

"Do you want to know or should I show you?"

The thick cracking sensation spread. She clapped her palms over her face while the sentimental knot grew and threatened to choke all logic. Tears rolled down her cheeks and burned her throat. "I cannot believe the way you are talking to me."

There was silence before Amir's warm fingers enclosed her hips. "Why? I didn't mean to upset you with my words."

It wasn't what he said that bothered her.

It also wasn't how he'd said it.

That was because doing so made her feel things, and thinking about them right now was scary.

He gently pried her hands away from her face. When she opened her eyes, he continued to hold on and his eyes were consumed in hers. "Tell me what's going on, Moon. Please."

She shook her head and pursed her lips.

"It will burn you internally like a disease. You need to let it out."

It took her a moment to realize that the broken sound that cut through the air was coming from her. "I'm trying to be as courageous and strong as you. I'm trying to keep it together."

Amir's chin dipped. Despite his height, they weren't at eye level, but they were close. "You are strong and resilient, but I'm telling you to be open right now."

Panic set in. She couldn't say anything because she couldn't accept what they were about to face or how she had seen the world. Everything was too much for her, and her head was spinning.

She yanked her hands from his grasp. "I'm upset with you, so stop trying to be good."

Amir arched his brows. "Seriously?"

"Yes! Because of how you are. To begin with, you were acting like a jerk toward me downstairs. I didn't open that stupid cellar, and you've been acting strangely since we—ever since everything happened."

"Luna—"

"I know you've fought, but you've been vague. I'm trying to help. Fighting and nearly killing—" Her voice cracked, and she needed a moment to recover before speaking again. "We were hunted and decided to stay in the hunter's house. Who knows what will happen after we leave? Tanzanite conceals your thoughts, so I don't know what you're thinking. You're blocking me. I don't understand why."

After he turned away, his mouth snapped shut. He didn't respond, and that wasn't good enough for her. Not now. Not after everything.

Luna moved, her hands trembling. "You said you weren't going to leave me."

Amir's eyes were the color of autumn leaves when they looked down at her. "I haven't."

"But one day you might," she said quietly. "Not physically, like dying, but you get up and leaving me when I need you the most. You tell me you love me—"

"I do." He cupped her cheeks with his hands and brought her closer to him. "You've always been the one for me. We were made for each other."

Her heart was clogged with emotion. "You believe that?"

"I do, Moon."

"Then don't shut me out."

He nodded, looking away. "I'm sorry, and I won't do that again."

Thunder rumbled overhead as they stopped. Amir then took a step back and looked at the door. "Are you leaving?" she asked.

"Greer has been loading up the car," he explained, kissing the corners of her lips while he held her. "I promise I'll explain everything later. Why don't you finish gathering our suitcases, all right?"

Luna wanted to stop him, but his hand was on her shoulder, holding her in place. "We're getting ready to hit the road again," he said.

"Okay."

"I'll be right downstairs. Nothing is going to happen."

His words made her pause for a moment. He exited the room after kissing her lightly.

She thought about their conversation and the Being she saw in the cellar, feeling afraid and happy at the same time. She was also obsessed with her wonderful memories of her and Amir. Despite a little argument, it was exciting to feel like they were on their honeymoon.

She could manage this mission. She could because she was his wife.

When Luna got up after a short nap, her muscles were less cramped and achy, which she credited to finally getting some rest. It was about four a.m.

After a quick shower, she changed into pants and a loose strawberry shirt she didn't remember getting from her bag.

When the floor and walls swayed, she stumbled toward the doorway. The house—no, not the house—was shifting. It had to be her.

She crumpled and gasped. When she clenched her knees and closed her eyes, drowsiness engulfed her.

Her eyes flashed white. She felt nothing until she saw herself in a forest with armed guards and soldiers.

"Stop!" yelled a man with a gleaming white glow around his body. She recalled naming him 'Angel.' "Moon, you need to calm down!"

Moon?

Angel stood in front of an agent, the man's white hair blowing back from his stern face, his shirt tearing around his waist.

Everything in her was centered on the angelic man. On Angel. Luna cocked her head to the side and pounded her fist, picturing his body caving and cracking, yielding to her power.

But that didn't happen.

He took a step toward her, his lips pressed into a soft smile. "Baby, it's me. Amir. You must get out of this. I know you can."

She squeezed her palm even harder, causing Amir to cry out in agony.

Luna's back hit the wall when the image faded and Eric's house stopped swaying. The churning dizziness had subsided. She slowly opened her eyes and straightened when she didn't feel like hurling.

What the hell was that?

Was I . . . activated?

Luna knew she was determined to harm her husband.

Had attempted to remove Amir's guts with the palm of her hand.

And he had tried to calm her down.

She grabbed her bag, moved toward the bathroom door, and wiped her wet palms on her thighs. She wanted to wash her face before telling him about her vision.

It cannot come true.

After opening the door, she gasped and saw Nurse Julia Smith in front of the counter holding a loaded syringe.

Holy shit.

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