Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Happy Canada Day!!

We pulled into Celestial Java as Luna was holding the door for the last customer so she could lock up. She paused, showing no reaction while watching us get out of my vehicle. An array of indecision played out on her face. After a minute, she smiled and stepped out farther to hold the door wide open. Just before we reached her, Luna swept her arm across her body into the cafe as a grand 'Come on In' gesture to welcome us inside.

Onyx bounced in without waiting.

We filed in single-file, Zach first and Calin last, and grouped together between the tables.

Luna closed and locked the door and flipped the open sign to closed. She turned to face us, crossing her arms. "So. To what do I owe this visit?"

"We need your help," Zach said, skipping pleasantries.

"With what?" Luna glanced at Calin, then me, and raised her eyebrows in question.

After a brief hesitation, I nodded. I didn't know what to say—Zach knew more about me than I knew about myself. Calin knew what I'd discovered, and I didn't have a clue what Luna knew. What could I say in front of her? I felt her eyes on me even when I was trying to avoid looking her way, and I was certain whatever she figured out on her own was more than any of us would ever admit.

It was weird—made more so because I'd never tried before—but I couldn't pick up any emotion from Luna. Perhaps she could block others as well as shielding herself—Zach said there were many variations of specific gifts.

"Zach thinks I'm on edge." I looked at the floor and felt grateful to feel Calin standing behind me but to the side, his hand at the small of my back.

"Why don't we have a coffee and sit?" Calin suggested.

"I didn't actually mean we should get a coffee," Zach said.

Calin nudged me. "No, but coffee helps keep Nora calm, which might be a good thing since you want to analyze her. She could at least be somewhat comfortable during that."

"I could have coffee," I glanced up and shrugged. "I doubt that's a surprise."

Luna glanced between us and then nodded. She let her arms fall to her sides and crossed the room to the counter, slipping behind to prepare fresh coffee. "Why don't you sit?"

"I can help."

Luna raised her hand to stop me before I went behind the counter. "No. I'm good."

"I don't mind. There's four—"

"Zach's right, Nora. You feel different. I need a couple minutes to focus away from your energy so I can figure out what I'm sensing."

"Go with Calin, Nora, and I will help Luna with the drinks."

Calin put just enough pressure against my back to get me moving and then guided me to one of the tables in the center of the room. Somehow, he knew how I felt and chose chairs over a booth so claustrophobia didn't make me feel trapped. It would be worthless for Luna to try help if the feels from the environment overshadowed what else I had emotions about.

"Do you think she knows?" Calin asked quietly as we took seats side-by-side.

I looked at Zach and Luna working around each other like it wasn't the first time. I bowed my head and fidgeted with the edge of the table. "She knows about Zach's... uniqueness. I'm certain my mom didn't tell her our secrets and Zach wouldn't betray them."

"But Luna senses things."

"Yes." I nodded. "She senses things and knows something is different about my family."