The Forsaken (The Chosen Series Book 2)

the kitchen with several bags draped over her arms.
“Here let me help you with that.” Jonathan rose to grab some of the bags from her mother's hands.
“Oh, thank you, Jonathan. You’re always so helpful.”
Luna rolled her eyes and mimicked her mother soundlessly, making Jonathan chuckle.
“I heard that,” Linda said, swiping at Luna.
“I didn’t say a word.” Luna ducked to avoid her mother’s playful swat.
Luna enjoyed that her mother and Jonathan got along even if Jonathan made her look bad by always helping around the house and doing her mother’s bidding. Something she should have done more of all along.
“Sit down.” Linda placed the rest of the bags onto the counter. “I have something I want to talk to you two about.”
Luna knew her mother too well. Whenever she said those words – I have something I want to talk to you about, - it was a precursor for something bad. Often, it was something Luna had done that had finally caught up with her. Trouble in school, truancy, you name it, Luna had done it. But in the last half a year, Luna had grown up considerably. She no longer took her life for granted or advantage of her mother. She’d learned quickly that life was too precious to treat your loved ones the way she had. She’d learned a hard lesson during the four months living with The Chosen.
“Yeah, Mom?” Luna took a seat at the table.
Jonathan sat next to Luna, and her mother sat on the other side. “I have good news and bad news. Well, I mean, it’s not really bad news. At least not ―”
“What is it, Mom?” Luna asked. “What’s going on?”
“Well, I just want you to know how proud I am of you, honey.”
Luna gave her mother a questioning stare.
“Okay, okay. But I want you two to know that my decision has nothing to do with wanting to leave you.”
“Mom?” Luna asked. “Where are you going?”
“The house is paid for, Luna. I’m leaving it to you. You know how I feel—”
“Mom? Are you sick or something? What’s going on?” Luna’s brain whirled.
Her mother had just been to the doctors, but she hadn’t mentioned a terminal disease. Of course, she wouldn’t. That was how her mother was.
“No, honey. It’s nothing like that,” Linda answered. “Oh, this is so hard.”
“Mom, please just tell me. You’re scaring me.”
“It’s nothing to fear, honey. Blake and I have decided that I should move to San Diego. We want to try and work on a relationship. Maybe even . . .”
Luna stared at her mother. The idea of her mother and father getting together so late in life had not crossed her mind. But it was obvious that they were head over heels in love with each other. Whenever they were in the same room together, the tension was so thick you could cut it.
“Mom, that’s great. Are you guys going to get married?”
“Well, I don’t know. But we want to see how things go. I know this is strange for you and all, but you are an adult now, and I’m sure you can handle things on your own.”
“Why don’t you go now? I mean not today but start planning. I’m getting my GED soon, and Jonathan got a job, so we—”
“No. It can wait. We want to take it slow. For now, I will be spending time there on the weekends. Getting to know him again and the kids as well. We don’t want to rush it,” she said, then turned to Jonathan. “You understand that while I'm gone, I am entrusting my daughter to you. I trust the two of you will act appropriately in my absence.”
Luna covered her mouth as Jonathan’s face reddened.
“Yes, ma’am. Perfect gentleman. You have my word.”
“Luna?” Her mother turned to her.
“Yes, ma’am.” Luna put her hand up in a scout’s honor.
Linda stared at her for a moment before she spoke. “Luna, I know things have been stressful between us in the past, but I am really counting on you to—”
“I get it, Mom. I do. I know I was a pain in the butt, but I have grown up since then.”
Her mother raised a brow.
“No, really. You don’t know what being locked up in a crazy cult will do to a person. I have learned a lot, and I realize that I took you for granted. I really do.”
“Hey,” Jonathan said, offended. “Why must you call them crazy?”
“Come on, you have to admit, they were a little off their—”
“Luna,” her mother cautioned. “Just because they are not like us, does not make them crazy.”
Jonathan made a face, and she laughed. “If you say so.”
“Your way of life seems crazy to me. All of these ―” He waved his hands in the air. “Things. I have never seen so many comforts.”
They had entertained the topic on numerous occasions. Each believing their own way was right. Neither willing to concede.
“So, the house will be placed in your name.” Her mother changed the topic back. “If everything goes well with Blake and me —”
“I’m sure everything will go fine. You and Blake have been pining over each other for years.”
Her mother gave her a look.
“Well. At least I know you have. You never even dated another guy. Now I know the reason.”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “Can the two of you run to the store for me? I have a list.”
Luna and Jonathan had gotten their driver’s license shortly after they’d recovered from their injuries. Luna thought she’d be nervous getting back behind the wheel, but she hadn’t been. They often fought over who would get to drive her mother’s car. Sometimes they could be so childish. But they didn’t have to hide it. That, or the fact that they cared for each other.
Luna grabbed the keys, the list on the counter with two twenties attached, and followed Jonathan out to the car. As soon as she got into the driver’s seat, her pulse quickened. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on