∞ The Tethered Ones ∞

Chapter 33

━━─── • ───━━━

• Luna •

The room fell silent, and she glanced at Amir, his eyes wide. Luna's stomach curled after hearing what General Davenport said.

A Trojan?

"What . . . what does that mean?"

The general stared at her. "You were part of the Omega Project, the blending of human DNA with that of a Defective and an engineered Tethered Soul. You were a sleeper—a Trojan, living like an ordinary human until you would be activated. It's happening all across the world as we speak, and they can't be detected, not by scanners or any developed technology."

"But I looked over Dr. Kim's notes." Amir rested his arms on his bent knees. "I've never read anything like that."

"Of course, you didn't," he replied. "You have to have top clearance."

"Surely she is not that dangerous," he countered. "Tethered Souls who have it in their system can control themselves."

"That's wishful thinking, Mr. Khan." General Davenport guzzled his drink and then proceeded to pour himself another one. "You know how Defectives are. You've experienced their rage."

"What was the purpose of the project?" Luna asked.

"Not world domination," the general said. "But to dominate someone or something."

Something?

"Really?" Amir's tone was as dry as the desert. "They've been watching too many Avengers movies. Thanos lost in the end."

"Laugh all you want, but when has it ever been anything else to them? Don't either of you understand that they will never stop?" He groaned, and Luna crossed her arms. "They like control and being the grand puppeteers to the vulnerable, pulling the strings of everyone they meet, from world leaders to state officials. They don't see themselves as villains but as saviors of the universe. They believe they've been helping humanity with their cancer projects, and all they've been doing is creating more problems. They want to be the heroes of the story and make the world better. That has always been their motive, and you know that, Luna. You remember them, and Amir doesn't."

"I may not remember anything from this past year, but I will never forget what I've witnessed at Dr. Kim's home," Amir said. "I know exactly what they're capable of."

"How . . . how do they not realize what they're doing is wrong?" Luna asked.

"Since Tethered Souls were first discovered, a lot of smart people have convinced themselves what they believe in and what they can do for civilization using DNA of a special group of humans, was better for society. This has happened throughout history, and it's nothing new."

"How exactly do they plan to make the world better after committing genocide?" She remembered what Cami had told her a few days ago.

"If you're referring to Nigeria and Iceland, that was a personal attack against Camille Taylor. Dr. Kim knew her family was in both countries and he sent operatives to invade their regions. Then, he proceeded to Southern Asia. The last I heard, Japan was next."

"Why are they going after innocent people?" Tears formed heavily behind her sockets.

"Because at the end of the day, they know they'll have everything back under their control. That is also nothing new. Tethered Souls are everywhere and BARDA can benefit the billionaires and CEOs who are sick. It's all about money, power, and corruption."

Amir pressed his lips together and chuckled. "Thanks for the pep talk about things we already know, but our questions weren't really answered."

"But they were, Amir. These powerful people, their families, and the companies they run are important to them. They may be ordinary humans, but to the average citizens who barely get by, they are Gods. The powerful continue giving money to BARDA as long as they get something in return. Superhuman abilities."

Davenport lowered the glass to his leg and continued.

"After the first experiment was conducted, they were trying to find what makes you guys cave under pressure and what they can do with your genetics. Tethered Souls became their pawns, and if they were left unchecked, they would have the upper hand. Hell, I believe things would get better if that happened. But sadly, humanity continues to prove they don't know any better."

"Or they're brainwashed." Amir paused. "Now we're dealing with Defectives who retaliate."

"Exactly." Davenport lifted his chin, and Luna blinked. "Most Defectives were created in laboratories. Humans were plucked from their daily lives and placed into a facility, and then experimented on. You know how the company runs, so I won't bore you with that." His finger tapped on the armrest. "But you've got to understand they wanted to create something bigger and more ruthless than Defectives, something they could control. They started with ordinary humans and made their way to the engineered. But it didn't stop there. They realized Origins can contain the serum in their bloodstream, and they created something that could program them genetically. I'm sure by now, Luna, your morals are being tested."

She narrowed her eyes, nodding. "All the time."

"Alisha couldn't let that project go. She worshipped the ground her victims walked on," he said, and Amir's jaw immediately hardened.

"I remember her talking about the project," he piped up.

"She is the head biologist for every project conducted by BARDA," the general explained.

"I know her husband," Amir added. "He's a chemist named Chiekwi Bankole from Lagos. I studied under him."

"And I know their daughter," Luna said. "Sefora and I were friends. Well, until it turned out she was an implant for her mother."

"Alisha's family are her victims," Davenport explained. "They're in a facility in Houston."

"Jesus," Luna murmured. "Can no one be trusted?"

"It's a game of cat and mouse," Amir murmured.

"That's right," General Davenport agreed. "Those who are within the organization have developed the Genesis Project, messing around with the hive mentality Tethered Souls share. They created a memory serum and have used it on several people throughout the years."

"Why was it called Genesis?" Amir asked.

"Because before the earth was created by the god many people believe in, the God you two believe in, there was a void," Davenport answered, shifting his frame on the couch. "They purposely erased the memories of Tethered Souls after they became activated."

"Oh, God," Luna said. "Julia Smith mentioned that. She said they wouldn't erase someone's faith and it had gone against their moral code."

"What if a Tethered Soul found faith after their powers were awakened and they were given the serum?" Amir inhaled a deep breath.

"They wouldn't have any faith, Mr. Khan."

"That's terrible," Luna mumbled.

The general stared at both of them and went on. "Their first success was in the seventies. It was a lot of trial and error, just like it was with the Defectives and the Engineered Souls, but they continued their research until they developed the perfect Trojan. They were finally in control and needed the right scenario for it all to come together."

Her head swirled. "Our exposure?"

He nodded. "BARDA knew it would happen and had orchestrated scenarios to make sure their plan succeeded. Plus, they studied Tethered Souls long enough to know that, like Defectives, they were not all peaceful."

"They wanted us to expose ourselves. Why?" Luna breathed, horrified and sickened. "How could they do that? Innocent people died."

"And the herd was easily discovered. They needed a way to draw out the souls who lived underground or in remote locations to capture them." The general sipped his beer. "But it also initiated another goal. Your exposure created panic and animosity."

She thought about what happened at Dr. Kim's, and St. Matthew's. "And that's why they continue to carry things out?"

He nodded once more.

"Because ordinary humans are defenseless." Amir leaned back, gripping and running his fingers down his pants. "Tethered Souls are outnumbered, but there's more than enough to seize complete control over them." He ran a hand through his hair. "They truly want to turn everybody against each other and eradicate anyone who defies them."

"Not just Tethered Souls at this point, but they also want the Origins and Defectives," Davenport added. "They're brainwashing the general masses by using fear and misinformation, which are the greatest and most powerful weapons for warfare ever created."

Throat dry and light-headed, Luna turned halfway around as she pushed her hair back from her face. "This is what Nurse Smith meant, isn't it? When she said we did their organization a favor, she was talking about what they planned all along?"

"Yes," the general answered. "If they're successful, then there's nothing to stop the Defectives from taking power."

"What happens then?" Luna faced him.

"I imagine the Defectives will experiment on Tethered Souls, along with killing them. It will become something like a dystopia, but much worse."

"And this community is not hiding here without a purpose," Luna said. "This isn't the only haven who are ready to go into battle with guns blazing. The Clearing isn't being used for a playground. Tethered Souls are training and preparing for a fight."

The Clearing.

That was what the Clearing was being used for.

"How much longer do you think these people are safe?" Luna asked. "It will only be a matter of time before they come storming through these gates. They aren't playing."

"And neither are we, Mrs. Khan." General Davenport tipped his neck up. "This community is more powerful than they are."

"We'll fight, too," Amir murmured, and she found herself nodding. "Luna's a Trojan, and she can kill them."

General Davenport's sparkling green eyes tracked over her. "I want to know about your abilities. When did they start and how many do you have?"

So, they told the general everything she could do, and about how she stopped time, leaving nothing out. When she was finished, she wanted to take a long, hard nap because she was exhausted even though Amir helped with a few details.

"You're not like others, Luna. I imagine it has to do with you having different serums in your blood. The hive mentality programmed into the Omega serum hasn't fully taken hold." Davenport eyed her. "But you said when you attacked the Defectives at the house, you stopped time?"

"I saved a little girl. Then when they attacked my husband, my whole world shattered in an instant." She stood to her feet and started pacing in the cramped space between stacks of papers and books. "It was like a switch went off in my head. That's . . . that's the best way I can describe it."

"And Amir froze?"

Both of them nodded.

"What did it feel like for you, Amir?" General Davenport eyes drifted toward him.

"It felt like my brain was suspended in animation," Amir told him. "I could . . . I don't know . . . feel my body sinking in the mud and couldn't move."

"Damn," uttered Luna, stopping in front of a small bookcase and gliding toward her husband. "That must've been so terrifying for you."

He quickly shook his head, holding her gaze. "No. I was more worried about what happened to you."

"Always thinking about me," she said, giving him a soft smile.

"Of course. You and Sarah are my life."

"Was Amir not supposed to freeze?" Luna asked, shifting her eyes back to the general.

"No, actually. You're paired and work together," he answered. "But as I said earlier, it most likely was the multiple serums you've been given."

"But we share the same blood. We did the oath."

"True, but you're also a fluke in a way," he explained. "They've been injecting you with serums since you were conceived."

"How had they been monitoring her all this time?" Amir asked.

Davenport was quiet for a moment and then looked to where she stood. "Ever since Lawrence signed those papers in the eighties to receive his treatment, he handed over his children to the organization without even realizing it. They've been in your family's life before your mother got pregnant with your sister."

"How did my parents not know who they were?"

"Because BARDA portrayed themselves as doctors, pediatricians, general practitioners, and every other medical field. They helped your parents have children, and they feel like they are owed a debt."

Luna stood up and walked to the punching bag she noticed hanging in the small kitchen. No longer thinking about it, she slammed her fist hard, causing the chain and bag to bounce.

Amir hopped up and sprinted toward her, bringing his arms around her waist. "It's okay, Moon. I've got you."

"See? This is what I'm talking about. Luna's emotions are unstable," the general snarled, staring at them.

"If you don't want to feel the pain I feel, I'd shut my mouth if I were you," she snapped.

He scoffed. "BARDA would love to get their hands on you again. You're not like the other Origins and even the Defectives. They'd like to take you apart, bit by bit, and figure you out."

"Well, they can't have me. I'm not for sale."

Amir's hand continued to run up and down her spine, a chill slowly spreading throughout her veins.

"Mrs. Khan, you're going to need to get your abilities under control," the general said, still looking at her. He went quiet for a moment, and then, "Your husband's and daughter's lives are at stake."

At stake?

"She will," Amir said. "I'll help her."

General Davenport reached down and grabbed his warm beer, then took a sip straight from the bottle. "I hope you do."

Amir frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"She is a disaster. Luna may be different, but she's a ticking time bomb. How can you not see that?" Davenport looked outside the window for a moment while Amir and Luna exchanged a long look. Then he chuckled, loudly. "If one of you would stop letting yourself be distracted by making plans of action and actually do something about it, then you'd be free. Truly free."

Well, that could be either of them.

"I think it's time for you to stop drinking," she suggested.

Davenport brought his gaze to her. "Do you think they hadn't planned any of this from the beginning? You've seen how they operate, Luna. And they know how you operate."

She clamped her mouth shut.

"What are you rambling on about?" Amir demanded.

Davenport didn't take his gaze off either of them. "They knew you two were paired before you were born."

A fine shiver skated over her skin as she backed away, recalling everything she and Amir had been through together. They knew we were paired before we did?

"You didn't think they had a hand at making sure both of your parents met? That they didn't orchestrate your parent's arranged marriage, Amir? These people know how to manipulate any situation they need to make things happen." General Davenport's lip curled. "Look at Liberty and Cami. They damn near engineered their relationships with Vikram and Faisal to test their weaknesses with the person they love."

Luna's brows flew up. "They made sure Vikram and Liberty would meet?"

"Yes. Lynette was an operative who was dating him first. Then she was contacted to form a friendship with you so that Liberty could get close to him."

"But why?"

"Because Vikram's family was orchestrated by them. They made sure he would be born from two people who were arranged in marriage," the general said. "They target cultures who believe in arrangements."

Amir turned in a semi-circle and brought his hands behind his head, sweat pouring down his neck. "They wanted to make sure Pure Souls came out of those marriages."

"Precisely, Mr. Khan. Pure Souls are powerful and can absorb every ability there is. And DNA from a pair can cure almost everything."

"That means Vikram's parents are pure?" Luna asked, thinking that was a valid question.

The general nodded. "He and his siblings. The organization had also made it to where he appeared in the street when Javier crashed his car. They killed him."

"What the fuck?"

"Vikram developed a way to shield himself, and they knew they could screw with his emotions." The general crossed his arms over his chest. "And he still hasn't forgiven himself for his partner's accident."

"No, he hasn't," she whispered.

"And you think the same wasn't done to you, Luna?" Davenport challenged, and Amir's head whipped toward him. "Did it ever occur to you that Sarah's father wasn't a decoy sent by them? That they weren't tracking you, keeping tabs on your every move? They were thrilled when Sam got sick."

Her jaw clenched as she stared at the man, and Amir then sat down.

"Sam's tumor was the perfect opportunity to use him as a guinea pig. They knew he was looking for every avenue he could to survive. Islamabad, Pakistan. 2012. He stood behind the mosque Amir was in, and then BARDA started the countdown to his final hour."

Amir's features turned stark, and Luna had to speak up before he did something he'd regret. "They caused Sam to collapse?"

"Yes. They sent him to Amir so that you two could bypass the loophole between Tethered Souls, meaning, they knew he was your partner when he volunteered to work at St. Matthew's. They watched everything you guys had done there."

"God . . ." Luna mumbled. "I'm about to be sick."

"That's why Sam felt familiar to me," uttered Amir. "I tried to save him that day."

"These people are slick and organize everything in every person's life," Davenport said. "No one's lives are their own."

She sat down then, in a worn, squeaky computer chair.

"What do you mean no one's lives are their own?" Amir asked. "They are monitoring every birth?"

"They are." The general blinked. "They are there when any pregnant woman goes to her doctor visits. Once she has the baby, they test their DNA to see if they are a Tethered Soul. If so, then they lie to the baby's parents about what vaccines they'll give him or her, and inject them with whatever they'd developed. They stay in that child's life undetected, posing as someone trustworthy."

Horror slithered down Luna's body, remembering all the doctor visits she and her sister ever had. And even Sarah.

"But not everybody receives vaccines," she said.

"True, but everyone does need some sort of medication sometimes. Or need to see a doctor at some point."

Amir's face paled.

"As for you two, they let you come together to reel you toward them," General Davenport added. "And they will use any emotional weapon they can."

"They'll never reel us back in," said Amir, his tone as cold as ice. "That will never happen."

Davenport looked up then. "Are you sure about that?" His gaze flickered to Luna. "Don't you want your husband to have his memories of you?"

"Well, yeah," she said. "But I want them to come back naturally."

"If I told you that there was an antidote, would that change your mind, Mrs. Khan?"

She shook her head. "No."

"What if you were the cure to bringing back his memories?" The corners of Davenport's lips turned up. "Wouldn't you try to help him?"

"What are you talking about?" Amir asked.

Luna had a better question. "Are you saying that I could do something and it would be a trigger point for Amir?"

"You, and the person who took his memories away in the first place."

Amir's jaw gritted. "Which was Chase."

General Davenport shook his head. "Not him. Chase only believed that he took your memories."

"Then who did it?" Amir rose and stepped toward the man, and Luna thought he might strangle him if he didn't answer. "Who's responsible for this? Tell me so I know who I need to kill."

"They're already dead," Davenport replied. "At least, they were thought to be dead. That's what everyone was led to believe."

A shiver exploded along the nape of Luna's neck and powered down her body. "No. No way."

"Sam," Davenport said, his body tensing in his seat. His bottle flew across the wall, glass shattering everywhere. "Samuel Davidson."

━━─── • ───━━━

Ahh!!! Sarah's father is alive?! He erased Amir's memories? And did Luna hallucinate him all this time? What about the moment she *saw* Sam in St. Matthew's? (Chapter 33 of Tethered Souls to refresh your memory.) All I gotta say . . .
The. Plot. Thickens.

Plot twist: Someone presumed dead is actually alive. I'm clearly having fun with Book Two. :)