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━━━─── • ───━━━

Luna •

Luna watched as Amir stayed put, his mouth slightly opened, a sliver of sweat forming over his forehead.

Knowing Liberty, she was ready to play twenty questions. Luna admired how her sister looked, with her black curls framing her round face, and a small amount of makeup applied to her eyes. She missed doing make-up sessions with her.

Liberty took one step back, looked at Luna, and then ran at her full speed, not wanting to let her go. When she finally did, she smiled brightly at Amir, walked in front of him, and gave him a strong bear hug. Luna chuckled.

"Thank you, Amir." Tears ran down Liberty's rosy cheeks. "You saved my sister, and I'll never be able to thank you enough."

"No thank you is necessary," he said, but her hair made his words hard to hear. "I love her, and I would do anything for her and Sarah."

"That is good to hear," she replied. "Still, you put your life on the line for her, and you beat me to it. We were trying to figure out how to get her out."

Luna put her hands to her chest and was about to cry when somebody else came out. She took a deep breath as she noticed Raul. She was shocked. He had changed since she had last seen him. Stocky, with his facial hair being trimmed. No longer did he have dark circles under his eyes, and his hair had grown out. He didn't look like her age anymore; slightly older.

Amir finally looked at him when he raised his head.

Raul walked over to Luna and gave her a quick hug. She smiled back. "Hi, Luna."

She asked, "What are you doing here?"

"You mean you're not happy to see me? After everything we've been through," Raul joked, and Luna chuckled. "My mom is in there with Sarah because she had to go to the bathroom. There is food and drinks inside if you want to come in."

Amir looked at Luna and said, "It took a long time to get here."

Raul moved out of the way and brought out his hand. "I'm Raul," he said. "You must be Amir, right?" Amir nodded as they shook hands. "Well, this house belongs to my grandparents, and you can all stay as long as you want."

"So you know about the people who live in this community?" Luna asked him, and he nodded. "You know what I am?"

She quickly shut her mouth and wished she had a bag to put over her head. She sounded like she was from another planet.

Maybe our species came from aliens?

But before she could erase that silly thought, tweedle-dee, and tweedle-jokester started laughing. Faisal and Vikram heard her inner thoughts.

Faisal said, still laughing against the Hummer, "That could be true."

She looked up toward Amir. "If you didn't hear what I just thought, never mind."

But he looked at her and grinned. Amir said in her ear, "You might be on to something. Area 51 is out there."

"Just have fun with it, guys," Luna said when she saw Raul laughing. She asked, "What?"

"Aliens, Luna? I guess aliens aren't too far-fetched when you live in a town where people believe in ghosts and hauntings."

"Wait. Did you read my mind?" Her mouth opened after she asked Raul that.

He was a Tethered Soul?

"Sure am. My abilities came after I turned seventeen. But like Vikram, I developed the talent of cloaking my powers."

"You lost your partner, too?"

"No. Chang is alive and well. He's living in Indonesia," Raul replied, narrowing his eyes.

"Guys," Vikram interrupted. "We should go inside now. Some of us are tired."

"You're right, and I still need to pray," Faisal said, pulling all the bags to the front door. Amir walked around and helped him.

Luna sat with Raul on the steps as they chatted about his partner. "So, tell me more about who you're connected with."

"He's from Singapore," Raul answered, fiddling with a leaf. "He is twelve years older than me and lives with his wife and children in her country. We rarely communicate since he denies everything. He loathes his powers. He suggested I should only see him when needed. He's asked me to cut ties. And the last time I talked to him, it had been maybe three weeks? I normally lose track."

Hearing Raul's story was sad. Luna assumed some people didn't find a good companion and that many denied their nature. They discarded their powers because they rejected them.

"So he lives his life and doesn't care what happens to you?" she questioned.

He shook his head. "My partner stated he'd be first in line for a serum to separate a pair. He also wants his powers to disappear. As if it were that simple. Chang loathes being a Tethered Soul. Your connection to Amir was lucky. That kind of relationship is rare."

"What relationship?" she asked, placing her elbow on her knee.

"Acceptance. You like each other and don't want to be alone."

"True," she whispered.

"I didn't realize you had the gene when my family and I saw you cooking in our restaurant. We thought you were having another fantasy about Sam. I apologize for telling Liberty that."

"Raul, don't apologize."

"I didn't inform Liberty about the Tethered Species since I wasn't sure she knew. If I had known you were one of us, I wouldn't have assumed so much about you."

"It's fine to make assumptions. I'd think the same." She continued after he laughed. "Tell me how this neighborhood started."

Both of them sat out there as he explained about their species being hunted every day. Tethered Souls rarely kept their powers safe, and people paid a lot to learn about their capabilities. Security guards protected the few people who resided inside the security wall. To secure the Tethered Souls inside the walls, they took security classes. The Hunter hasn't discovered them in fifteen years. They want everyone safe inside.

Liberty dashed over to Luna and slammed her into the stone wall, nearly knocking her down. Her sister's warmth relieved her pain. It felt nice.

"I'm sorry," Liberty choked. "I won't forgive myself ever."

"Why?"

"I didn't try to get you out sooner and didn't know you weren't sick. Chase did it. It was all about him. He faked your vision."

Luna smiled, wiping her tears. "You have nothing to feel bad about, Lib. I'm serious. Everything's fine. I'm okay."

"Seriously? Your suffering haunted me. Vikram and Faisal explained."

"It's okay, Liberty."

"All right. I think you're both cutting off each other's air supply," Vikram said, tugging on Liberty's arm. "And Amir looks like he's worn out."

"Pfft. Everything is just going to have to wait," Liberty replied, holding Luna's hands. "I've missed my Luna."

Vikram replaced Liberty and hugged Luna. "I'm sorry I didn't do this earlier," he muttered. "A lot was going on, and we had to move quickly."

Luna nodded.

"I'm exhausted," Amir murmured.

Faisal laughed.

Vikram squeezed Luna briefly. "We'll figure out a way to get rid of them. Chase will pay for what he did to you."

Amir grabbed Luna's bag and put an arm around her waist once Vikram moved out of the way.

Vikram glanced at the bag, tilting his head. "Nice dolls. Where did you get them?"

"The motel gift shop," Luna said. "They were a surprise from Amir."

Vikram snickered.

Amir kissed Luna's head and said, "Tell him their names."

Her heart raced and her skin was warm. "Ibrahim, after Amir, and Aluna, after both of us."

Liberty smiled at the dolls. "They're cute. They resemble you."

"Ha!" Luna hugged her dolls.

Liberty walked around to Luna's side and looped her arm through hers. She quickly checked everything and helped them move it into the foyer.

Even with the skydome above letting sunlight in, it was fifteen degrees cooler inside. Small black cameras were placed in the corners of the walls, facing the front door. Lead was etched alongside the ceiling. Luna's fingers twitched as large, leafy plants surrounded the doorway. She couldn't wait to dig again.

"Are you okay?" Amir asked.

"Shouldn't I be?" Luna stopped walking after looking up at him. The others faced her in a long hallway past the entrance. "Oh, I was just remembering the last time I gardened."

"That's understandable."

She reached for his shoulder and tugged his collar. "How about you? Meeting my family and finally seeing Sarah?"

Luna understood how hard it was to see his partner's daughter again.

Amir brushed his hair toward her. "You aren't just my partner, Moon. You're my wife in my heart unless we make it official." She smiled after he said that. "Sarah decides our fate. She must accept me first."

"I'm sure she will," Luna whispered. "She'll feel it from you. Like us, she'll know your intentions. Amir, we have nothing to worry about with you."

He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Moon . . ."

"Prince."

Amir ran a fingertip along Luna's cheek, then whispered, "I love you. Always will."

"I love you."

"Well, come in a little further," Liberty urged, nudging Luna toward her. "There is somebody in the great room who would like to see you, Luna. The great room is pretty big if I say so myself."

Amir lifted his chin and then looked back at Luna. "Baby, Sarah is expecting you. If you can feel it, she misses her mother."

Luna couldn't, which made her sad. She knew her daughter was there but couldn't sense her.

Luna took a breath and turned the corner. She spotted Cami, Decker, Raul, Faisal, Vikram, and Darren facing away from a massive chimney. Cami ran over and gave her a bear hug, then Darren hugged her softly.

"Hello, Luna," he said. His New Zealand accent resembled Riverdale's "Archie Andrews" K. J. Apa. She liked hearing his tone. Deep and heartfelt. Like a jazz player's tone, but Kiwi.

Cassie popped up behind them and smiled. "I'm glad you and Cami are out. That escape was horrifying."

"It was, and I'm grateful you came there to bring me out of the thick smoke," Luna informed her.

"I wanted you safe. You're half Aluna. The other half wouldn't be able to function without ya," she said, causing everyone to laugh. "Guess what? I am on my way here from Toronto. After hearing about Faisal's antidote achievement, I wanted to test it. I could be around Faisal without being affected."

"That's great. I'm ecstatic." When Luna noticed Cassie popping in when they were surrounded by lead, which obscured their abilities, she remarked, "Don't get me wrong, but how are you able to connect to us in here?"

"Oh, we're in an area where the lead isn't as strong as it is in other parts of the house," Raul told the small gathering. "It's like having a cell phone signal. Any pair can use specific areas to talk. However, neither the neighborhood nor outsiders will detect us. It ensures our safety."

"Oh, I see," Luna whispered, still perplexed by the sheer number of Tethered Souls surrounding her.  

She stood quietly and listened to everyone talk amongst themselves. Asian rugs were in the middle. Dolphin figurines adorned mantles and bookcases. Each corner had more surveillance cameras and lead. The middle had a huge couch that could accommodate a football team.

From the corner of her eye, Luna noticed a small figure meandering through an archway, wearing her favorite shade of purple. Lavender. Sarah yelled, "Mommy!"

Luna held her little girl so tight that she was afraid she would cut off the girl's blood flow. She hadn't seen, embraced, or felt her precious tiny face in four weeks. As she smiled, she fluffed her thin blonde hair and kissed her. "Baby, I've missed you."

Sarah looked back at Luna and said, "I've missed you more."

"I've missed you 3000."

"That is what Tony Stark says," Sarah murmured back and hugged her mother's neck.

"I know that. I was just remembering how we watched The Avengers movie before I had to . . ." Luna stopped herself and cleared her throat. "I had to go somewhere, but I am here now. Forever."

"Forever?"

"Forever, my wee little one."

Mera walked around the corner, and Luna pulled herself up, giving her a soft hug. "Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Luna."

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Sarah?" Luna turned toward her her eyes were on Amir.

"Can we play a game?"

"We will soon. But a lot of us are hungry and thirsty. There is someone I want you to meet first." Luna reached for her daughter's hand and brought her to him. "Sarah. This is Amir."

He scooted down and smiled at her. "Hello, Sarah. How are you?"

She brought her arms around his shoulders and said, "I'm doing fine. Will you pick me up, please?"

"All right," he said, his eyes shifting toward Luna. She could tell Sarah liked him already.

"Where are you from?"

"I am from a country that is on the other side of the planet. It's a nice, small one. It's called Pakistan."

"Is that where Mr. Faisal is from?" 

Faisal smiled at Sarah as he wrapped his arm around Cami's waist. Luna grinned at her.

"It is. He and I are cousins. Both of our fathers are brothers."

"That's great. You aren't like most men." Everyone laughed as they saw her talking to Amir.

"Really? How do you know? I could be Santa Claus." 

That made Sarah giggle and hug Amir tighter.

This union had made Luna's day.

"If that were true, then you are here early. Santa doesn't come out until December. It's still July."

Luna smiled and stood next to her. "Sarah has a point. But honey, do want to know who he means to me?"

Sarah nodded as she grinned at the both of them.

"He is your companion," she said. "You two are paired for each other."

"That is correct."

"My friend told me about our genetics," Sarah said, shocking Luna.

"Is your friend a he or a she?"

"I don't want to say," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Will Amir be in our lives?"

Luna nodded back as he kept a grip on her hips. "Is that okay?"

"As long as we go to Pakistan. Mr. Faisal has told me all about it." Sarah squealed, and Amir set her down as she hugged Luna's legs. "I want to go to Mumbai and Delhi, too. Uncle Vik won't stop talking about India."

The group giggled at her, and then Darren strolled over to shake Amir's hand. "It's good to meet you, man."

"Likewise," Amir replied. "Thanks for shutting down the security system. We wouldn't have made it out if you hadn't."

Staying back, Luna watched as Amir and Darren, and the others got acquainted. Then she brought her gaze to Sarah, wondering why she was secretive about her partner.

"You're wondering about it too, aren't you?" Vikram asked on the other side of her.

Telepathic stalker.

"Getting in my head again?"

"Not this time. I can sense your weariness over what Sarah said."

"I just wonder about it. Why the secrecy? Is that person . . ." Luna shook her head, not wanting to focus on it.

Cami walked up to her and gave her another hug. "I missed you after they took you away."

"I missed you, too," Luna said, giving her a soft smile. "My ride-or-die sister."

Raul made a low whistle sound and looked at his mother. "I'm happy to see that everyone knows each other now. From what I know, a newcomer will be joining us soon. Welcome to my family's villa."

As Amir crossed the room and nodded his head at Luna, she said "thank you" to Raul. There were also more Tethered Souls around her. Mera was also one, but no one said anything about it. She had a strong vibe.

Luna sat in the middle of the couch and held Sarah in her lap. The dolls were then taken out of the tote bag and given to her. She told her their names and her daughter giggled.

As soon as she got to the other side, Sarah started playing with them, and Liberty sat down next to her.

Darren made his way over to Mera's side. "Is Sue lying down now?"

Sue?

Luna's eyes widened. She didn't expect to meet Darren's wife. She will get to meet both of them, two New Zealanders.

Mera gave him a grave face and patted him on the back. "She will be okay. She's still tired from the trip here."

Amir came over and sat beside Luna. "How is Cassie coming? Does she know where we are?"

"No, but Darren and I will drive to the airport and pick her up," Colin Decker said after looking up from his phone. "We also can't say anything to her."

Amir and Luna made Liberty laugh. "What? We can't take the chance that someone is being watched. That would be dangerous for everyone."

"So you and the rest of the group didn't know where to go?" Luna asked her.

Liberty shook her head.

"Raul and Mera came out to the camp, and we followed them. As soon as we arrived at the front gate, I was blown away. Sarah took a nap beside me."

"This is probably a lot to take in. Especially considering what we know about the facilities in other countries," Cami uttered.

"What about your grandparents, Raul?" Luna asked him.

Mera leaned against the couch. "They still own this house, but they live in Quetta, Pakistan right now. My family comes here as a vacation home. I'm happy it can help all of you, especially since you are a TS."

Luna looked at Mera and said, "You've mentioned nothing to me about being a Tethered Soul."

"I'm a denier, Luna, and I hate this ability," she replied.

Luna said nothing for a moment and tried to digest that. She became tense and spoke without thinking. "I'm sorry if you lucked out. I love being telepathic and having Amir."

Raul moaned. "I knew you wouldn't understand, Luna. How did it feel, Amir?"

"How did what feel?" Amir asked, his voice cracking.

"When Luna was harmed, you felt it, right? Did it hurt like hell? Well, that's what happened with my mom. She felt her partner's suffering when he was captured in Russia. It's something you can't run from, no matter how often you switch it off." He scowled at Vikram with that last statement.

Raul sprinted to the side door, huffing.

Luna glanced at Mera and apologized. "I'm sorry if what I said was out of line."

"Don't worry, dear," Mera said.

"Guys, there's something you should know." Colin slid his legs onto the floor and sat up, recharging his phone. "A trusted contact informed me that Liberty and Vikram's home has been raided. Now, they are on your parents. There are also guards stationed outside Luna's Photography Studio and her home."

"Well, Mom and Dad weren't concerned about your mental health before," Liberty remarked, looking at Luna. "They probably wouldn't be shocked by anything Chase or Dr. Kim says, since they both lie."

Vikram from the archway responded, "I hope so." He walked over to give her two white envelopes and one to Amir. "Everyone will wait here until we decide our next move. These envelopes will be useful when you three leave."

"What are these?" Luna asked.

"It's your new identities." 

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