ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Tethered ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Chapter 38

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• Luna •

After showering and resting, Luna joined the others in the living area. Before she washed up and napped, everyone sorted out the kitchen and den.

The most damage came from the hole in the wall, front door, windows, furniture, and houseplants.

She was saddened by the entire thing. Zander was nice. They had a comfortable place to relax. He was considerate after seeing the house's destruction.

Luna liked Engineered Souls.

Zain and Zander, anyway. She still despised Enzo and others.

Liberty apologized numerous times during the BARDA conversation and before her shower and power nap. When Luna entered the room, her sister's wide, brown eyes stared at her.

She knew what was coming as Liberty sat up and said, "Lu." The second she started to cry, she began apologizing again.

Luna embraced Liberty on the only recliner. She whispered in her ear, "Lib, everything is fine. I forgive you."

And she meant it.

She couldn't stay mad with her sister forever, especially over something she couldn't control.

Squeezing Luna's arm, Liberty said, "Thank you. I won't hit you for nearly accepting Enzo's ultimatum." Her warm smile made her beautiful, and Luna missed it.

"You feel better?" Luna asked, and Liberty nodded.

"Yeah. I'm not feeling anything. No control over me at all," she answered, folding her hand over Luna's. "I'm sorry again."

"It's okay. I'm glad you're back."

Luna hugged her.

"We were discussing what to do." Amir nuzzled Luna's neck while speaking. "We're traveling back to Louisiana, which will put us behind schedule but hopefully won't interfere with Enzo's promise to have his army ready."

She scanned the room for the plan. "Okay?"

"It won't be easy." Greer crossed his arms beside a cracked window.

"Yeah," Amir muttered, sliding from Luna's shoulder and into her damp hair. "We'll have BARDA meet us at your house."

Luna raised her brows. "That's crazy."

"Amir's not explaining everything," Zander said.

"Perhaps he's too distracted," Zain pointed out.

Luna gasped when her husband's fingers left her hair and tiptoed down her spine.

"I'll act like I'm taking you guys in." Liberty turned toward everyone. "I know it's scary, but Dr. Kim and Alisha still believe I'm brainwashed. They figured you might agree to meet at your house instead of the hospital when they were discussing ways to bring you to them."

Luna hated this strategy while attempting to forget Amir's touch on her backside.

Liberty swallowed, looking at her sister. "I've gone rogue because they don't realize the serum they gave me has worn off. And that the others . . . well, they're not going bonkers."

"How?"

"They instructed Liberty not to check in until you were activated as a Trojan, and until she was able to bring Amir and Sarah in safely," Greer said, and Luna didn't think Liberty was interested in anything other than bringing everybody into the hereafter when she shows up. "They may not know what happened and anticipate hearing from her soon."

"You think it's a smart idea to go off this plan?" Luna spoke quietly.

Greer agreed. "Liberty will inform Dr. Kim, and he will start his engine to drive to your residence. Or fly in a helicopter. Whatever floats his boat."

Amir's hand was now underneath her jeans' band. "It's our only option, Moon."

"Why not break into St. Matthew's?" she asked. "Take them out?"

"Because they have the facility surrounded by guards," Liberty answered. "That's where . . . I woke up and was taken to Illinois."

"I'm sorry, Lib," Luna said. "That's terrible."

Exhaling, Liberty smiled.

"So you believe we should go to my place, wait for Dr. Kim, and hope everything goes well?" Luna questioned.

"We'll have an opportunity to get him before anyone else," Greer replied, his golden eyes burning. "Before he hides."

Luna caught that bit, but super glue, a lick, and wishful thinking held this scheme together. Only going home to check on her house was her plan. Even if it wasn't the most important thing to see, she worried about her property. And her studio.

"How will we handle Chase?" Greer asked.

Liberty looked around. "What does he have to do with this?"

"He-who-shall-not-be-named has disappeared," Luna said. "You didn't see him under BARDA's control?"

"No," Liberty replied. "I never saw him."

"I doubt he'd go to the action. It would be stupid if he did," Zander commented. "Alisha and Dr. Kim helped him bust out and scatter like the wind."

Amir tugged the band of Luna's jeans but didn't reply.

"I agree. The Resistance is searching for him, but his return to New Orleans is unlikely," Greer said, gazing at the group. "I'll call Titus and explain what happened and how Dr. Kim sedated Liberty, then tell him our plan. Later, I'll inform Enzo."

This plan was plausible. Dr. Kim and his crew needed to be removed if Liberty's information was correct, but they still had to deal with several agents and deadly superhumans afterward.

Luna winced.

Eliminated. Deal with. She began to sound like a criminal.

Or T-Virus.

After a pause, Luna said, "Okay. We'll do this plan."

Amir rubbed her tailbone.

Zander added, looking behind Selena's dark head, "You'll need supplies. For us, we have reached our purpose."

Luna smiled. They needed all the help they could get, but arriving in town with two engineered people and a civilian would likely reveal the group's whereabouts.

Selena said, staring at them, "No offense. We want to do more—"

"I have enemies. Many of them. With some hazardous areas, I don't trust the Resistance or their allies. I can't put her in harm's way." Zander squeezed Selena's waist. "Never again."

Amir replied, "Completely understandable," surprising Luna.

Zain straightened up and went to a closet. He presented a small arsenal to everybody. Wall-mounted locks. Military weapons flanked the entrance. Other guns Luna didn't recognize attached to the wall looked like firearms but weren't. They all had BARDA's DNA logo etched into them.

"Wow," she mumbled.

"With everything going on, I forgot to tell you guys about this corner," he said. "We found this room searching this house." He gave Greer a gun. "Superhumans, especially healers, are hard to kill, but these weapons are lethal."

"Most creatures can die from a head or heart bullet." Zander smiled, which sent shivers down Luna's back. "Except for Sam. He had always been a tough one to kill."

Luna growled at the sound of his name, but Zander continued, allowing her to check out the artillery. "Hitting Defectives in the head or heart is tough because they move quickly. Hybrids heal."

"Creepy." Zain snorted. "But my brother means well."

"Holy crap," Greer commented, touching a strange long weapon. "Is this what I think it is?"

Zain nodded. "Yep."

"What is it?" Luna asked.

Greer inhaled. "A Short-Range Atomic Rifle. These weapons were never intended for general use. BARDA has them, but I never expected to see one on the street."

Amir released Luna. "Why is this one special?"

"It's designed for Tethered Souls, unlike military firearms." Greer grinned suspiciously. "The bullets contain a serum. DI weapon."

"DI?" Liberty asked.

"Dead Instantly," he said. "Firing these kills Tethered Souls, Hybrids, Defectives, us, and Dr. Kim. It's lethal regardless of where you're hit. They weren't authorized since they fire immediately."

"Because that would be easy for target practice." Luna was sick. "The organization would rather people suffer when they catch them."

"You don't need perfect aim for these. Instead of using your powers, they will make you fast." Greer looked like he was playing with his favorite toy. "You'll like these."

"If Amir agrees, you get one," Zain said to Luna. "And I expect a Christmas family dinner invitation."

Luna chuckled while adjusting to her larger weapon.

She held a gun. Again.

This will never end.

On the back porch, Amir and Luna sat. Amir was on the top step, legs spread. Luna was in the middle, gyrating enough to show his face in the faint twilight. Several thunderclaps startled her.

At first, they were quiet. When his fingers curled in her hair, he brushed her nose. She didn't mind her husband touching her cheeks, palms, and ponytail. It became soothing over time. Leaning on his left leg, she let him do anything. They had to leave this house soon to arrive in Louisiana the next evening.

After reaching the surface, Titus tethered himself to the group. He didn't like the plan, but he agreed it could bring Dr. Kim out of hiding. Edwards Air Force Base survivors have evacuated to Texas, and Titus had given General Hayes the new plan.

From Titus and Greer's conversation, Luna assumed that the others in their group in hiding couldn't fight since they couldn't leave their new safe place. Her group in this house had to wait for other areas to empty, most of which were in the state, to make the eleven-hour travel to New Orleans with the other superhumans. Greer said he'd speak to Enzo if the man wasn't bluffing.

Both sides were compromised if things went awry. She and Amir agreed to pack up their family and Sarah, then move to Pakistan if they were—

She stopped that thought. After a few months of recovery, Pakistan would be okay. She knew her in-laws well, and Amir's extended family had to be alive. They wouldn't give up on each other no matter how long everyone was gone or what was happening in the world.

Right now, Luna didn't want to contemplate everything. She hoped their plan would work.

"Thinking?"

Luna nodded slightly.

"About?" Amir traced her neck.

"I don't like this plan," she said after a moment, looking up at him.

"Neither do I."

She gaped. "You seemed okay with it earlier."

His lip twitched. "Because we have no other way to kill them."

"Yeah."

"Can we get what we want another way?"

Luna sighed. "No, but as long as they don't know Liberty and her team have lost their connection, they'll expect her to deliver us to them."

Bending, Amir kissed her. "You're nervous."

"Typical."

"You know I'll protect you."

"Amir, that's not my concern."

"Really?" His soft kiss made her gasp. "What is it?"

"You. Liberty. Greer. Zander. The others. Even while safe, our loved ones are at risk. I'm worried about Titus. He truly is amazing." Luna looked around. "Even if Titus is T-Virus, I'm scared he won't survive. I fear—"

While interrupting her statement, Amir kissed harder. "You have a big heart, Moon." He moaned while holding her. "It's your best trait. I love your physique, but your heart? It's extraordinary. It makes you rare and genuine."

"Occasionally . . ." With tears, Luna glanced at him. "You're really kind."

"I also like rubbing your behind."

She laughed. "Oh my gosh, you keep bringing that up."

"I need to tell you." Again, Amir kissed her. "Even though we can all look after ourselves, it's okay to care about everyone else." His brow touched hers. "I'm sure we'll survive. Every one of us, Moon."

"Do you think so?" she whispered.

"Yes." He rubbed her nose. "Do you trust me?"

"Always."

Zain emerged from the side door with a bowl and a spoon after a few moments of silence.

He licked the utensil.

With a wide grin, Zain said, "Figured you two were out here. Come into the kitchen. Try my lasagna."

"Lasagna?" Amir asked while getting up and entering the house with Luna.

"Yep. My favorite." Zain gave them a small plate. "Go on. Taste it."

Luna began, "What kind of spices—"

Before Zain dropped his small ceramic bowl, it sounded like a pebble hit the window.

She shuddered at the terrifyingly familiar scene. Zain's body jerked forward as red fluid splattered. Greer and Zander ran into the kitchen, wiping their faces. Zain's cheekbones, hand, and blond hair turned scarlet, and half of his head was gone.

Oh, God.

Oh, God, no.

Someone shot him from the outside.

Zain was already dead before he dropped to the ground.

━━─── • ───━━━

Since these are the final stages of the Tethered Trilogy, there are no more resurrections. Someone had to go, and it had to be Zain. At least, he wasn't one of the more prominent characters. In the sequel, Luna and Amir took that scene and died together to make a memorable sequel ending. Thank you for reading. More twists are coming. <3