• Luna •

[ P A R T  T H R E E ]

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"We'll have time to get away," Amir argued, causing Luna's stomach to turn. "Or do you suppose we let them capture us and our trip here was all for nothing?" 

"Capture us?" Faisal laughed. "I would like to see them try. Honestly, I'd like to see the looks on their faces when they see Luna doing her magic out there. It'll be on the evening news." 

"So, what's the plan?" Raul asked, giving a quick glance to the line of cars still not moving. "We're blocked in." 

Both Faisal and Colin glanced at each other and shook their heads. Then Faisal spoke. "You all just need to focus on what you are about to release. It's not just the evil, corrupted organizations who will be pissed, but it will be anyone who is in hiding. The ones who have always laid low. Me? I don't mind getting my hands a little dirty. As long as Cami and my family are safe."

"There is a multitude of others too," Colin said. "They'll see this as a reason to hunt Tethered Souls down. They will take this advantage and bring even bigger chaos. Where my family is now, they've been untouched for five years. There's no way they will ever be detected." 

Luna swallowed hard, thinking of the life they must have to live. Sheltered. Hidden. Away from society. "Well, we're stuck between a storm that's brewing and a tornado that will come through either way. We'll weather this storm. As one." 

"As one," Amir repeated.

"Is this what you guys want to do?" Faisal asked, turning toward everyone. 

They all nodded in reply. 

"Let's make sure no one gets hurt," Luna said, fearful of the outcome. 

A wide smile broke out across Faisal's face. "Well then, it's time to show the world that there are different species among them. Let's show them our tethered awesomeness." 

This had to be the craziest thing Luna could go along with. Not only were they exposing the secret organizations on the planet, but they were breaking every rule Tethered Souls lived by. This decision didn't just affect her, but it affected her husband and Sarah. Something this huge should've made her think more, but time wasn't on their side. Was there an alternative route she didn't know about?

People were already gazing at her and the group as they passed by a few cars. She knew the fact that Faisal, Raul, and Amir walking swiftly between them were drawing attention. It was their appearance; the brown ones. Some of the motorist's thoughts were loud.

"I don't like this plan, guys," Vikram said, turning off the engine. "It's the craziest thing I've heard, but it may work." 

"What are you talking about?" Sue asked from the back seat.

"We're basically stuck in these cars," Amir explained to them. "There's a SWAT team up ahead-searching inside vehicles. We're trapped unless we do something for a distraction." 

Sue sucked in a sharp breath. "Honey," she said, looking at Darren. 

"It'll be all right," he said, pulling her close.

"We're going to do something a little uncanny, but we have no choice," Amir told the group. Luna glanced around to see how far the men in uniform were. "Hopefully it will cause enough distraction to clear some roadways and we can get the hell out of here." 

Lawrence looked at them. "I want to help." 

"How exactly are we going to get this clusterfuck cleared and without being detected?" Cassie asked.

"Because it's not a little distraction that we are going to cause," Vikram answered, opening the doors and grabbing a few weapons. "We're going to show the world there are others among them." 

Liberty's eyes went wide. "You're going to expose Tethered Souls?"

"Yep," Amir said, grinning. Luna's stomach tumbled from his plan. It was crazy and daring and could put everyone at risk. But something has to be done.

Cassie leaned forward. "Have y'all gone nuts? Did you drug everybody, Amir?"

"I don't know if I should be insulted or not," he remarked. "I know this is dangerous. But we have to do something."

"Amir and Luna are Pure Souls," Cami said. "They may have new abilities that could help us escape. None of you know what it is like in a false hospital. It's agonizing and scary. It's worse than an actual prison." 

Colin folded his arms and huffed. "Do I need to remind everyone back at the house about this road trip? When I said that we are facing a war, I meant it. Tethered Souls are being hunted. Our group will no longer be a group if we don't do something now."

"Hey, you have no arguments from the Carlyles," Lawrence said, checking on his daughters. "What about Sarah? What's your plan?"

Luna smiled at them as they held each other's hand, and Liberty placed hers on her father's shoulder.

Gazing at everyone, Liberty said, "We'll run with her and protect her."

"I'm ready to freak out a few folks," Faisal said, rubbing his hands together. 

"I'm sure you guys will," Elizabeth uttered, narrowing her eyes. 

"Sarah will stay with her grandparents at all times," Amir said as he moved around. "Once everyone scatters like ants, we'll take off in that direction."

Darren winked, and Luna felt her chest tighten. "When do we do this?" he asked.

"Now. But stay alert. We can't split up," Amir continued, glancing behind his shoulder. "Everyone stays together. If we have to get new wheels—"

"God, I hope not," Colin said. "I truly love that ride."

"If our wheels are blown up or not in use anymore, we get whatever we see available. People are going to scatter and leave their belongings in their vehicles. Possibly the keys, too," he added.

"I just want to get somewhere safe," Luna said, her lips trembling.

"We will," Amir whispered, holding Luna's hand. Spotting Mera, he brought them over to her. "I need you to do something for us?"

She nodded back. "Anything."

"I need Sarah protected. Her grandparents have never faced what we are up against, but some of us have. I know you are ill. I can sense it. Your partner is in a facility —" Amir stopped what he was saying as Luna and Mera continued to listen to him. "We'll get your partner out of Russia. But our daughter needs protection from this organization. She trusts and loves you."

Mera laid a hand on Amir's arm. "Say no more. She'll be in good hands."

Luna beamed as she saw Sarah bring her arms out for him to hold her. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, baby," he told her.

"I don't feel comfortable playing show-and-tell like it's a stage act," Luna said, holding her family.

"I know. Chase didn't leave us any choice," Amir replied, his voice deep.

"Daddy Chase said he would find you, Mommy," Sarah said.

When did she talk to him? Luna thought.

"Darling," she murmured, smiling up at her while she was still in Amir's arms. "You mean, before I went away, right?"

"No. This morning. Matthew and I play together."

"You've got to be kidding me," Luna said, shaking her head. "Matthew is your partner?"

Sarah nodded.

"That explains how Chase knew about us being here," Colin grunted, kicking the ground. "Sarah's been his GPS."

"Oh my God," Elizabeth gasped. "If we run, he's still going to find us."

"No." Luna slipped off her lead ring. "I remember what Colin said. He said some pairs are good versus evil. So I believe that Sarah is the good between her and Matthew. He has darkness in him. We've seen it at the hospital."

"That does make sense," commented Colin.

"Sarah, can you see Matthew now?" Luna asked her, and Sarah giggled at a vacant spot behind him. "Is he right there?"

"He is, and he said to tell you thank you for what you did in the hallway. He had fun terrorizing the staff."

A chill eased down Luna's spine. Matthew was with them. Just perfect. 

Luna slipped her ring on Sarah's finger and kissed her palm. "Keep this on, baby girl. He can't connect to you."

Sarah nodded as she clutched Amir's neck.

Luna glanced around and then back at her. "Do you see him with this on?"

Sarah shook her head.

Good. It worked. 

Luna was relieved because she didn't sense any darkness from Sarah anymore. It was all of Matthew's energy hitting her, and he had a powerful hold over her daughter.

"I hoped that Matthew wasn't Sarah's companion," she said turning toward Colin, a tear streaming down her face. 

"Matthew hid that from us at St. Matthew's," he explained. "He pretended he had already connected to a child in Brazil. He connected to Sarah after their birthday."

"Let's just get everyone out of here, then deal with Matthew and his evil menace of a father," Amir said.

Luna handed Sarah to her parents, and Mera stayed by their side. Then they noticed people were following a trend as they stepped out of their cars and began milling around. A group of young guys opened cans of beer and plopped down in the back of the truck they rode in, watching the sunset and dusk take over.

Holding Amir's hand, Luna watched as he turned toward Faisal, and asked, "Ready?"

Faisal cracked his neck. "Let's freak the earth out. This is going to be enlightening."

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 Tethered Souls have always been hidden for a reason. This display of their abilities are the highlight to what is coming, and it is discussed a lot throughout the next two books. More revelations to come. Thanks for reading.