Tethered Souls | Books 1, 2, and 3

64 | Shield

• Luna •

[ P A R T O N E]

━━━─── • ───━━━

It had been two weeks, and now it was the end of July. Everyone in the safe house was on large couches and lounge chairs in the entertainment room. A giant TV displayed Cami, Colin, Amir, and Luna. Luna's parents stayed while Amir's folks flew home. Darren, Sue, and Cassie remained. The minister was there to help everyone come up with a plan for getting out of the state. Luna knew that they would leave after getting married. It arrived earlier than anticipated.

Colin and Sue found themselves tethered. She was helping Luna arrange flowers in the yard one minute and on the roof with him the next while he and the others were on the helicopter pad.

She projected herself toward Darren's soul, and he saw Luna in the garden with him. Sue found it unusual and understood what everyone goes through when they change. Their powers activated before their birthday on August 2nd, making all Tethered Souls question their genetic anomaly.

Powers don't come before a birthday, only after.

Adnan's last test before going home was 'positive.' He is tethered and will likely be contacted around his birthday next March. He knew he had support throughout this.

As the group talked about what to do next and how to get out of the United States without being caught, Amir caressed Luna's leg and gently rubbed her knee. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly, then whispered, "I love you, Moon."

"I love you, A." She enjoyed it when they used each other's nicknames.

Cami put a plate of sandwiches and fruit on the coffee table and looked over at Faisal, who was sitting with Colin and Darren. Then she got two small sandwiches and went to a burgundy chair.

On the other side of Luna, Liberty leaned forward and grabbed two pieces of fruit, which she then gave to Sarah. She was sitting between her aunt and uncle as they talked about life in India, where Vikram's family was.

Sue was sitting quietly, so Luna looked at her and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better." Sue took small bites of her toast and pulled off the soft brown spots. "But I'm tired. Darren thought it'll be good to explore a nature trail earlier."

"We've been walking out there a lot lately," said Darren from the other side of the room. "I think I've done my fair share of walking and running."

Luna laughed. "I don't mind walking sometimes. The paths behind the house stretch a long way."

Darren looked at his wife and told her to eat more with his eyes. "You haven't eaten much of your sandwich yet. Aren't you hungry?"

"I don't know if you realize this, but Colin over there is eating enough food for both of us," Sue replied, and Darren laughed and took a look at Colin, who was eating a big hamburger. "I'm covered."

After the food was gone, everyone stayed in the room for a while, but Luna was sure that no one wanted to talk about it because they were all going to leave quickly. So much so that Reverend McDaniels left the room and told the group he had to take an important phone call but would be back shortly.

Faisal set his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "Time to discuss the important stuff."

"Exactly," Raul said in a low voice. "We have to leave before midnight. That will be in six hours."