∞ The Tethered Ones ∞

Chapter 55
(Extended Ending)

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• Luna •

Luna's screaming finally stopped when she could no longer scream loud enough. Her throat was raw. She could only whimper or moan now.

It had been several hours since the men had left Dee-Dee. Hours of burning, blistering anguish shot down her limbs and off her head. Her body felt like it was being flayed and torn apart to get to something underneath.

She drifted in and out. Those seconds of nothingness were pure delight, a reprieve that was all too little. She'd awaken in a world where agony threatened to destroy her sanity. She believed she'd die from it several times. That there had to be an end in sight somewhere, but the waves of pain just kept coming, washing over her and strangling her.

When her shouts stopped, so did her tears. When the pain became unbearable, she tried not to move or jerk. It simply made matters worse. She was no longer shivering. Maybe it was because she couldn't sense anything other than the pain caused by the chemicals encased in the chains.

But she didn't want to suffer through it all. She wanted to see this through.

The doors finally opened. She couldn't move her head because she was too tired, so she just stared at the glittering beams through the bars. Would they remove the handcuffs?

"Luna . . ."

Her gaze dipped as she took in the blond buzz-cut hair, attractive face, and grin that had charmed its way into her life and the lives of her family. John Davenport is the biggest hypocrite on the planet. He'd pretended to be a kind man and someone trustworthy, yet he was the exact opposite. He'd done this to her and countless others, and he was another snake lurking in the shadows.

"How are you?" he asked as if he was genuinely interested. "I've heard that the coating is unpleasant for superhumans. It's the only weapon that can utterly subdue anyone who requires it. Phycyne compounds mixed with a few other substances, as well as stones such as rubies, cause such an adverse effect. It's as though two photons are bouncing off each other, trying to find a way out. That is exactly what it is doing to your blood cells."

He adjusted his tie, making it looser around his neck. "I honestly didn't intend to hurt you like this. You have a daughter, a family, and a future ahead of you, but you became vulnerable after breaking into Ramsey. I've been watching your behavior for days and have noticed your skills improve. Not to mention the poison that was pumped into you. I'm sorry for this."

Being under his control the entire time and not recognizing how much of a monster he was sickened her. The distaste invaded her like a virus. It took several attempts for her to get the next hoarse words out. "You let . . . let . . . me see my fate, John, just to see what I'd do . . . and to keep me safe . . . around . . . around you. You have no heart." She wanted to vomit when he winked. "You son . . .you bitch."

"Well, I had to gain your and Amir's trust in some way. Don't get me wrong. I believe you are both wonderful individuals. You're both powerful when you're together, but when you add Sarah, Chase, and even the Khans and your family to the mix, it's a full house."

Luna wanted to burn a hole through his chest. Badly. "You . . . you . . . set it all up? The ambush at Dr. Kim's?"

He smiled, displaying a beautiful set of teeth. "I had little to do with Dr. Kim's plantation, but I was involved. It was the easiest way to get you guys to the estate. Lily was a pawn, and Ethan wasn't my favorite, but he came with the package. And I knew you'd bring your family sooner or later. Liberty, your parents, Vikram, and Sarah were all the people I needed to meet. Lovely family."

"You're . . . you're insane."

In his gaze, something sinister sparked. "Maybe so. Being diagnosed with a tumor is not a pleasant experience." He smirked when she didn't say anything. "You would have been adored by my daughters. They like the story's feisty protagonists."

She blinked. "What does your family have to do with me?"

"Everything. I brought them here to try out some serums I'd developed here . . . and we all know what happened after that." He knelt, his head cocked to the side. "But, as you can see, you're special. I believe your DNA has the potential to save numerous lives, especially because you are physically connected to Amir. Everything was united in the oath."

"DNA?"

"Yes. Your genetics are quite strong. No one has ever become as powerful as you have. Getting through the good and bad at St. Matthew's, and then dealing with Dr. Kim's house? You're a tough cookie." John laughed. "Did you think you'd have a happy life as a superhuman?"

Oh my God . . .

"You're crazy. Tethered Souls and the like are not supposed to be happy, but rather to be spied on, monitored closely, and examined. You were given a serum that enhanced your abilities, and I saw what the tanzanite did for you. It was considerably more potent when Amir had it. As a couple, the two of you are rather amazing."

John Davenport was the one who left the stone for them to find in the house. He made certain that Lily would fight with her for her to become activated. And he was watching everything that was going on behind the scenes. Anger grew within her, overshadowing the agony. She felt violated much more than she did before.

"Why?" she asked. "Why did you send Lily?"

General Davenport seemed pleased. Happy. "It's quite simple. Trojans are activated either by the organization or via murder. And Lily diffused the situation before it could happen. I mean, the poor girl just exploded. That was not supposed to happen. Not yet."

He continued, sniffing. "Anyway, Amir has something I want, and you will make sure he behaves long enough for this encounter to be beneficial to all parties involved. And, apart from you, I have something for which he will go to any length. Faisal."

"He . . . will . . . end you," she rasped, hurting.

"Doubtful. And you really shouldn't say anything," he replied casually. "I believe you've seriously harmed your vocal cords. I've been waiting for you to stop screaming in the boat behind the property for a while. You're louder than a barking dog."

Backyard? She realized they were most likely in a building near St. Matthew's. She remembered a swamp next to a laboratory. She whimpered as he pushed the clamps closer to her face. She may have gone out for several seconds, because when she opened her eyes, John was moving in closer.

"Did you know that Tethered Souls' healing ability is strongest when a person is injured and that the effects decrease the longer the distance between the damage and the healing? So I'm thinking Amir won't be able to cure the voice problem."

She inhaled a ragged, agonizing breath that burned her throat. "Fuck . . . you."

He burst out laughing. "Don't be upset, Luna. I have no ill will toward him. You, either. I just need you to be quiet while he and I talk. And if he complies, both of you will make it out of here alive. I can't guarantee you won't be institutionalized, but you will be alive."

She was jolted by an unexpected rush of pain, and her body stiffened as she gasped. Her cells seemed to be bouncing off each other, trying to flee.

He stood up, his hands clenched at his sides. "This weekend, I almost thought I'd lost it all. You can imagine how irritated I was when everyone at Covington General Hospital kept standing outside your door. I had agents try their hardest to gain access to you, but you were being monitored like a hawk for four days. I nearly killed you at Ramsey just so you could be admitted. That was the only way I was going to get you." John smiled, his fingertips tracing over the bars. "I was expecting to see you and Amir at St. Matthew's, but I was unable to do that. You both got away before I could. So I'm forced to resort to this. To incarcerate you."

Anger pierced the anguish, burning just as fiercely. "You . . ."

He came to a standstill in front of the door. "Luna, your life will never be your own. You are our property."

She had no idea what to say, but even if she did, it wouldn't matter. Her throat was in immense pain.

"You're fortunate to be paired with Amir." John smiled as he twisted his cell phone around in his hand. "He returned my call from the hospital. And, well, let's just say my response will bring him right to us."

Luna focused on what he was saying through the discomfort. "What . . . do you . . . want from us?"

He put the phone aside and clutched to the torturous bars. When his eyes met Luna's, there was that childlike awe all over again. "I want him to heal me."

She had a lot of expectations. Maybe he wanted Amir to develop more formulas and serums for BARDA, but him healing John from his illness? Luna would have chuckled at the ridiculousness if she hadn't been in misery.

John sneered as if he understood her thoughts. "You've got no idea what he's capable of. What good are money and reputation when you have the power to compel others to your will? When you're never sick? When no human or superhuman life-form can stop you?" His fingertips had turned white. "You don't get it, woman. Sure, you've seen relatives die from cancer, which I'm sure was heartbreaking for you, but you still have no idea what it's like when your body turns against you when every day is a battle to merely survive."

He pushed off the bars. "Being sick and on the verge of death affects a person, Luna. You already know it because I had made certain that you would be close to death numerous times. I'll do anything to never be that powerless or vulnerable again. I imagine you would feel the same way."

She shivered. "I'd never understand how you feel. Ever."

John smiled broadly. "Your ignorance is adorable."

It wasn't ignorance. It was real. Another wave of intense pain caused her to close her eyes. As it completely disappeared, a new sensation arose.

Amir . . .

Her eyes went to the doorway, and the general looked expectantly, despite the lack of sound. "Is he here? You can feel him." His tone was tinged with relief. "This is awesome. He went to Titus and did exactly what I expected him to do."

"Titus?"

"Titus is great. In all of this, you two chose a worthy ally, Luna." He returned her gaze. "Thank goodness this chain of evidence comes to an end with me. When this is over, we will all be okay. If BARDA knew what we were up to, nobody would be leaving tonight." He cast a glance behind him. "You must remember Room 9 at the Crescent Motel in New Orleans. He'll find Faisal unharmed inside. He has until midnight, after which he will have missed his window of opportunity. If Amir doesn't find him in time, my contacts will end his life."

Luna remembered where it was. How could she have forgotten? During that time, she and Amir had grown close, and it had been one of the best hours of her life. She just hoped Amir would blast John into his next life.

The huge doors slammed open, smashing against the white concrete walls.

Amir was there.

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One chapter left . . . ahhh! Get ready to rumble, and grab tissues. It's a tear-jerker.