Tethered Souls | Books 1, 2, and 3

{Book Two} 102 | Trojan

∞ The Tethered Ones ∞

Chapter 32

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• Luna •

There was a part of Luna that wanted to connect to their group and let them know that she and Amir were okay. But she couldn't. Not yet. She needed to wait until they learned more about this new community and if it was safe enough for everyone else. They all had been through so much in the past few months and dragging them down to only get caught by enemies wasn't what she wanted. So, she decided to wait to find out their status.

She wasn't sure the exact time, but she knew it was morning as she sat quietly on the porch and sipped her cold instant coffee.

Sun rays appeared like nature's easel, giving brilliant color to what was hidden under the starry night. She didn't expect to fall asleep, not after everything that happened or with what awaited her and Amir in the next couple of hours, and not in an unfamiliar place. She didn't feel like a guest but a squatter. However, once her head hit the pillow, she curled against Amir's chest and dozed off. When she opened her eyes, a sliver of light was seeping in under the shade and had traveled across the floor on the end table.

And then she had realized she was wrapped around him like a snake, worried he'd slither away. Thin white sheets were tangled around their thighs, and one of her arms was tucked under his neck. The other was tossed over his waist and his palm was over her hip, slightly squeezing it throughout the night. She'd laid there with her cheek resting on his bare chest.

Waking up like that was different. It was peaceful because there wasn't any chatter from Dr. Kim or his staff looming in the distance.

Shortly before bed, Amir pulled out his mat and prayed. At first, she sat quietly and watched him talk to Allah, then she slid off the bed and joined him. It was unspoken, but they both knew that praying together had to ease their troubles and doubts.

When he had said they'd rescue their allies and burn every facility on the planet, his words opened a gaping hole inside her chest. It was dark, vindictive, and even murderous. She thought she'd controlled that part of her, but she knew how he was feeling. They both wanted retribution for the anguish that had festered inside their chest, and it was beginning to frighten her. The old her would've pumped on the brakes and suggested something else to get their revenge, but that part of her had died the second the Defectives attacked. Whatever good part of her that had come alive in the guest house was slowly slipping away, like a thief in the night, and she was becoming dangerous and impulsive. But she trusted him. They were partners, and he could help calm her down before she did anything destructive.

Because whatever had drawn them to one another while they were awake and even in sleep was impenetrable enough to blast past the hostility residing in her, reaching her.

Luna sighed as her gaze focused on a squirrel crawling from one tree branch to the other, causing pine needles to sprinkle the ground.

Hopping to her feet, she closed the door to the front door, and then made her way back to him.

Amir's face was turned in her direction, his profile visible. She still couldn't get over how angelic he looked when he'd slept. His willowy features softened in a way she'd never seen, and the pure essence from his aura was still there but blurred. It was strong and enticing, and she couldn't wait until they were reunited with Sarah. She could almost imagine if they settled in this house and never moved, making it their permanent home. Living as a family, learning, growing and surviving.