∞ The Tethered Ones ∞

Chapter 32

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• Luna •

There was a part of Luna that wanted to connect to their group and let them know that she and Amir were okay. But she couldn't. Not yet. She needed to wait until they learned more about this new community and if it was safe enough for everyone else. They all had been through so much in the past few months and dragging them down to only get caught by enemies wasn't what she wanted. So, she decided to wait to find out their status.

She wasn't sure the exact time, but she knew it was morning as she sat quietly on the porch and sipped her cold instant coffee.

Sun rays appeared like nature's easel, giving brilliant color to what was hidden under the starry night. She didn't expect to fall asleep, not after everything that happened or with what awaited her and Amir in the next couple of hours, and not in an unfamiliar place. She didn't feel like a guest but a squatter. However, once her head hit the pillow, she curled against Amir's chest and dozed off. When she opened her eyes, a sliver of light was seeping in under the shade and had traveled across the floor on the end table.

And then she had realized she was wrapped around him like a snake, worried he'd slither away. Thin white sheets were tangled around their thighs, and one of her arms was tucked under his neck. The other was tossed over his waist and his palm was over her hip, slightly squeezing it throughout the night. She'd laid there with her cheek resting on his bare chest.

Waking up like that was different. It was peaceful because there wasn't any chatter from Dr. Kim or his staff looming in the distance.

Shortly before bed, Amir pulled out his mat and prayed. At first, she sat quietly and watched him talk to Allah, then she slid off the bed and joined him. It was unspoken, but they both knew that praying together had to ease their troubles and doubts.

When he had said they'd rescue their allies and burn every facility on the planet, his words opened a gaping hole inside her chest. It was dark, vindictive, and even murderous. She thought she'd controlled that part of her, but she knew how he was feeling. They both wanted retribution for the anguish that had festered inside their chest, and it was beginning to frighten her. The old her would've pumped on the brakes and suggested something else to get their revenge, but that part of her had died the second the Defectives attacked. Whatever good part of her that had come alive in the guest house was slowly slipping away, like a thief in the night, and she was becoming dangerous and impulsive. But she trusted him. They were partners, and he could help calm her down before she did anything destructive.

Because whatever had drawn them to one another while they were awake and even in sleep was impenetrable enough to blast past the hostility residing in her, reaching her.

Luna sighed as her gaze focused on a squirrel crawling from one tree branch to the other, causing pine needles to sprinkle the ground.

Hopping to her feet, she closed the door to the front door, and then made her way back to him.

Amir's face was turned in her direction, his profile visible. She still couldn't get over how angelic he looked when he'd slept. His willowy features softened in a way she'd never seen, and the pure essence from his aura was still there but blurred. It was strong and enticing, and she couldn't wait until they were reunited with Sarah. She could almost imagine if they settled in this house and never moved, making it their permanent home. Living as a family, learning, growing and surviving.

"Mm . . ." he murmured, startling her. "If only we had a camera." His arm around her hip tightened. "You could snap a picture of me, then put it in a locket."

"Funny." She smiled. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't." He yawned, covering his mouth. "I could never complain about being woken up by my wife staring at me like I'm her next meal."

A deep flush ran down her neck. "You picking on me makes me want to kiss you."

He turned toward her as his hand slid up her arm, fluffing out her tangled hair. "I like that idea, so where's that kiss?"

She wiggled a little and moved back. "It's not happening. I have coffee breath."

"And? I have dog breath." Amir's eyes went half-mast. "That's the perfect combination."

She stared down at him. "If I wanted to kiss a dog, all I'd have to do is find one."

He let out a rumble from his mouth, shaking the bed. "You're good at making me work for it."

"Uh-huh. Like I said, I'm high maintenance."

"I don't care." Amir rose on one elbow, moving closer. "I'll have to work extra harder, then."

"You do just that." She chuckled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Ironically, yeah." His hand cupped her cheek. "I thought I wouldn't sleep at all because of the heat, but I fell asleep right after you. I had my whole world wrapped in my arms. I was in paradise."

Luna bit her curved lip and smiled.

Lowering her mouth to his, she kissed him. She only wanted to give him a gentle kiss, but that wasn't how it went. The second she raised her head, he rolled her under him.

"Now, I know you're desiring to give me a better good morning kiss than that," he teased, and she reached forward, giving him her love.

They were lost in each other for a while as the minutes passed. She knew they needed to get prepared and meet the community, but both of them couldn't seem to let go, no matter how important other things were. It wasn't just staying in the moment and seizing whatever time they had together, but what she felt in his embrace. Her head swam after a few delicate touches of his warm lips against her skin, and his grip on her hip tightened, causing her breath to hitch. If he continued to move gently over her like he had been, she knew her resistance would crumble.

She felt it, as did Amir.

Him. Her. Hot and bothered. Alone, with no one bothering them. She didn't know how she felt about that considering the moment they had shared before the ambush. But they were in a home with no power and nothing surrounding them that could combust.

Her stomach twitched. In that single moment, in a bed and house that once belonged to another family, now felt more right than last time. There weren't any distractions or anyone looking over their shoulder.

Electricity seemed to charge the air the second he lifted his head and stared down at her, his pupils shifting into a dark, intense brown. "Moon?"

In one of those rare moments when she didn't mind if he peeked in her mind, he did, inching closer. "A," she whispered. "We can wait until after we—"

She never got to finish her sentence, because he swooped down and kissed her, and then pulled back. His kiss was slow and deep and calming, and then it became more. He reached for the hem of her nightgown, and she shoved at the band of his boxers. Moving forward—

A knock on the front door stilled them. Her eyes shot to his as she held on to his hips, his waist between her legs. He had her nightgown above her thighs.

"Whoever it is will go away," he gritted.

"We're still asleep." She lifted her head to his, kissing him. His groan reverberated through her. He went for her hem again, and she yanked on his bottoms as she arched her back. His hands, his gaze slowly—

The knock came again, this time followed by the muffled voice of Zoe. "Hey, guys!"

Amir sighed, letting out a soft groan. He dropped his head to her shoulder. "We didn't hear anything."

"Not a peep." Luna let go of his boxers, folding her arms around his chest.

"She can't stay out there." Amir's lips coasted over her cheek. "She'll get bored."

No, but she could keep knocking until someone answered the door.

Amir's eyes shifted to Luna. "You're right," he murmured after hearing her thoughts.

Luna reached forward, cupping his jaw. "You have a point. It's hot, so I'm sure she'll leave."

"She has to." He kissed her again, pressing her body gently into the bed. "It's just you and me."

"Just us," Luna whispered.

"General Davenport sent me!" Zoe's voice boomed, louder this time as if she shuffled toward the window. "He wants to talk to you two, and he hates waiting." A pause. "It shouldn't take long."

Amir groaned.

A quiver crept up Luna's throat. "I think she may camp out there if we don't join her."

"I think you're right." He lifted his head and then yelled, "Thank you. We'll be right out."

Luna's brows lifted. "So, we don't have time to . . . canoodle?"

Amir looked down at her, eyebrows raised and his eyes slightly wide. "Moon . . ."

Before a burst of laughter rolled through her mouth, he claimed her lips with a sealed kiss, followed by another and another. It was rather alluring when he'd whisper her nickname, and it was even better when he'd silenced her laughs with his taste.

In his kiss, she was home.

• • •

Off in the distance, a mansion loomed. The corners of the walls were beautifully carved, with an exterior made with complete care. It was the first thing she noticed after she and Amir met Zoe, who was standing on the sidewalk. There was something unnerving about seeing a home of that size well-structured, and it caused her to remember how preserved Dr. Kim's home had been before they escaped. Those memories were ingrained into her brain, even if she didn't care for them. 

"Good morning," Amir said, opening the door. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"That's okay. I'm sure you two wanted to sleep in." Zoe rose from the wooden swing she'd been sitting on, one hand on the rail, the other clutching a floppy, tanned hat. While she didn't look remotely comfortable, Luna thought she still looked adorable in a simple pink dress with short sleeves. "If it were up to me, I would've let you have more time to yourself, but when Davenport orders something, we have to follow him."

"Oh . . ." Amir said, stepping off the porch. "What does he want?"

Zoe sighed. "The usual. Banging on the door at the crack of dawn to get Connor to go to the Clearing."

"The Clearing?" Luna asked, closing the door. She wished she'd grabbed a sweater as it felt cooler than it was earlier.

"It's a few homes over, out passed the tent." Zoe slid the hat on, the floppy edges almost obscuring her eyes. "I can show . . . well, not now but maybe later. By the way, I don't think the general had a good morning. He's cranky."

It didn't pass Luna that Zoe had quickly changed the subject of where the Clearing was. She wanted to know what it was used for and who was in it.

Had the community been talking about us?

It didn't take a leap of logic to know that a meeting was already conducted. What did the community think about them? Were they worried? Was the place used for fighting and testing everyone's abilities? Shivering, Luna dragged her gaze from Zoe to the corner. Homes nearly identical to the ones down the street faced her. It was the same on both sides, but no residents were walking. The only sound was the birds chirping along a power line, a soft breeze causing them to dangle.

"Where is everybody?" Luna asked, thinking the whole place somewhat reminded her of The Walking Dead. Everything was quiet, calm.

Amir's hand found hers, drawing her gaze. He was watching Zoe as she shifted to the other side of them.

"Most people are at the market or working outside of the community," she said, waddling passed them. "The kids are in school—not a building outside of these walls, but a house that has been set up for different grade levels. Other residents are probably still in bed."

Out of everything she had explained, it fathomed Luna that there was one house large enough for all the kids who are still in school. Maybe the reason they didn't take their children to public school was due to their privacy. Staying hidden away from society was working for them.

The streets were clean and most of the yards had nicely cut grass. It amazed her how decent the place looked in the daytime. Only a few houses were taken over by tall, reedy weeds that almost reached the windows. There were only four cars parked in the driveways, and all were at least a decade or so old. None of them looked like they were made in the past year. As they continued, the distinctive feel of being . . . captured again crept over her, and with every corner they turned, the sensation grew.

"Does Davenport live around here?"

Zoe nodded and then yawned. "Yep. He's in a blue house near the park and cemetery. It's not too far."

"Why don't you head back and rest, Zoe," Amir offered, stopping in between a yellow house and a brown one. "You look really tired."

"I can take you. I should be walking more often, anyway." She laughed, sighing. "Who knew organizing the supply pantry would be exhausting. I haven't done that in months."

Luna's eyes widened. "You did that all night?"

"It's no big deal," she said, grinning. "We all volunteer to organize it each time new people arrive."

"That's very generous of you guys," Amir said. "But you don't have to go through all that trouble on the account of us."

"It's what Davenport wants. He runs the community." When she lifted her chin, Luna could see a faint smile gracing her lips. "I'm also tired because I'm pregnant."

"Wow." Luna's brows perked. "How far along are you?"

"Almost ten weeks. We haven't told many people yet," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Connor and I are waiting until he can get in touch with Katherine and Julien first."

"Chase's parents . . ." Luna mumbled.

Zoe nodded. "I know you probably have a ton of questions about their family."

"The only thing I'm more concerned about is why Chase would never say anything to me about having a twin brother."

"I understand, Luna. That must've been a shock to you," she said. "But I can assure you that Connor is the nice and humble brother. He didn't allow the darkness to consume him, unlike Chase."

She nodded, sniffing. "Did you ever . . . meet him? You know, when he wasn't in a coma?"

"Unfortunately, yeah," she answered. "Chase and I have never gotten along. He was possessive over Connor and who he wanted in his life. That's one of the reasons they haven't spoken since high school."

She gasped. "That's over ten years."

Zoe nodded as she rubbed her belly.

Out of the corner of her eye, Luna spotted someone by one of the front porches of a small home and then disappear into the shadows. "Are people watching us?"

Zoe quickly shook her head. "No . . . no. That's Nigel. He goes outside to smoke."

"Oh."

"You're safe. To anyone who drives near here, this area looks like a wreckage yard and we aren't questioned. We keep a low profile and have tellurium set up on every corner. It shields our presence from hunters."

Luna's stomach twisted, gnawing at her insides. She was a hunter and these people were hiding from someone like her.

"Thank you for bringing us," Amir said, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

"Of course." Zoe swallowed and glanced around, then brought her eyes back to Amir and Luna. "You know what? I think I am going to head back. I haven't taken my prenatal vitamins yet."

"Sure," he murmured. "Just tell us where we need to go and we'll get there."

She shifted her weight and turned toward the end of the street. "There are about seven homes down that way and you'll see a garage with three cars in it. It's passed the park."

"Thank you," Luna said.

Zoe nodded and smiled, and then turned around.

They were quiet for a moment while she made her way back to her house.

"So, you ready to do this?" Amir asked.

"Yep. That's what we came for. To get answers."

• • •

About two blocks down a narrower street, the park was on the right. The breeze was swaying a seatless swing and toying with the overgrowing weeds that were as tall as the rusted seesaw. The blue house sat between what appeared to be a decrepit cemetery and a building that had once been a tool shop.

Luna kept up with Amir while they traveled along the cracked cement of the walkway and onto wooded steps that groaned under their weight. He knocked on the door, and it wasn't more than a second later that it opened.

"I wondered when you two would show up." The general stepped aside, revealing a small room that smelled of funk and mold. "Didn't think I'd have to bug somebody to retrieve you."

Manners much?

Luna simply grinned. "We woke up late. Thank you for understanding."

General Davenport huffed in response.

"How are you this morning, sir?" Amir let go of Luna's hand, letting her step in first.

The general closed the door.

"Been better. Two groups are coming in from Atlanta this weekend, so we have to make arrangements for them." He turned, strolling back to a leather couch with a tear down the middle. He picked up a glass with amber-colored liquid in it. "I'd offer you something to drink, but all I have is warm beer and tap water. I wouldn't suggest drinking the water."

Luna chuckled. "We don't need anything. It's not even . . . ten in the morning."

"I know." He sat. "I need something to take the edge off."

"I understand, General Davenport," Amir uttered. "Praying helps me."

"Yeah," Luna replied, reaching for his hand.

"Sorry if I'm drinking around you, Mr. Khan. I'm just under a lot of stress," the general said.

"That's all right. It's your home, sir," Amir told him, and the general went quiet.

Scanning the room, Luna saw piles of papers and rolled maps stacked against a wall. It was like General Davenport worked in an office building one time and brought his work home with him. The interior didn't resemble the home she and Amir were staying in, where it still had the remnants of the previous occupants' personalities. This house was gutted and dilapidated, looking every bit the way a home would appear after being neglected.

"I know both of you are wanting shelter, but we aren't safe. Especially with you." That was said to Luna. Leather creaked under his trimmed frame as he leaned back against the cushion. "You have the Omega serum running through you."

Her breath hitched, not liking where this was going.

I won't hurt anybody.

Amir slid toward several reinforced crates and took a seat. "My wife has it under control. She isn't a danger to anyone."

"Not now, but she has the potential to wreck everything we've worked for," he replied. "Chase is an example. We can't chance it."

That she wasn't expecting.

Amir straightened. Sweat dripped from his forehead to his chin. "How do you know she would lose control like that again?"

"Because I know what that serum does to an Origin's emotions." General Davenport took another swig of his drink. "I've watched first-hand how destructive they can get. It's as powerful as an earthquake, and that's what it was designed for. To create weapons of mass destruction. To create Trojans, and that is what she was programmed to be. A killer."

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