Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 140

Chapter 140 Ava: Lisa's Gone

"Ava!"

Kellan's familiar voice should bring hope, but all I feel is despair as I stare into the distance, wishing that vampire would reappear.

A thousand of them could come and it would be fine. As long as they bring Lisa back.

"Ava! Can you hear me?"

Kellan's face swims in and out of focus, a hazy blur against the night sky. I squint, trying to bring him into clarity, but it's like trying to grasp smoke.

"They have Lisa," I whisper, the words scraping my throat raw. "The vampire... He took her."

Kellan's eyes widen, a flicker of anguish passing over his features before he schools them into careful neutrality. But I can see the tension in his jaw, the rigidity of his shoulders. He's barely holding it together.

"I know, Ava. We'll get her back." His voice is strained, distracted. Like his mind is a million miles away even as he's right here with me.

Strong arms scoop me up, cradling me against a broad chest. For a moment, I think it's Kellan, but the scent is wrong. Earthy and unfamiliar, not the piney-leather smell I associate with him. I turn my head, blinking sluggishly at the face above me. It takes a moment for recognition to click into place. One of the guards from Lisa's apartment.

I can't recall his name, but I remember him standing sentry outside her door, stoic and watchful.

He carries me away from the carnage, away from the bodies strewn across the grass like broken dolls. I want to protest, to demand he put me down, but my limbs feel weighted, my tongue thick and useless in my mouth.

Behind us, I can hear Kellan pacing, his footsteps heavy and agitated against the ground. He's growling, the sound low and menacing, interspersed with words I can't quite make out. But one stands out, sharp and clear amid the jumbled mess of my thoughts.

Mate.

He keeps saying it, over and over, like a mantra. Like a prayer.

I try to focus on him, to call out and ask what he means, but the world is tilting, spinning off its axis. Darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, a black tide threatening to pull me under.

The last thing I see before unconsciousness claims me is Selene running in from the woodline, coming straight for me.

Ava!

* * *

The hospital ceiling greets me again when I open my eyes.

This… is getting old. Fast.

I agree, Selene grumbles, but I can feel her warm weight against me. Someone must have let her in.

a right merry chase around the garden.

soft snort, I rub my hands down her fur,

Kellan.

noticed that I'm awake, his brow furrowed and gray

says, a whisper in my mind. He's finally realized

What?

That

until he could smell her blood. It's not uncommon. It's a very faint scent in

How fascinating.

going to be furious to

My heart sinks.

back, Selene assures me, her voice

haven't found her yet?" I ask Kellan, whose head snaps

How do

side of my throat, I confirm that the

burning in my chest, but I already know what

half-bond. We have to get

know that

Correct.

I haven't probably been poked and prodded by numerous

reply shortly, not willing to talk about what happened. "What about Lisa? Do we have any information on

stiffens at her name and shakes his head. "No. Nothing. You said a vampire took

Kind of freaky. Kept

nose in frustration. "It's impossible to find a

in my gut. "I'm sorry.

apology. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad, Ava. It's a common problem

right, Selene says. Their appearances are too

"but even that isn't

"Vampires dye

him. "Not only do they dye their hair, but they also wear contacts. They live among

Vampires walking freely among the unsuspecting populace, wearing whatever disguise suits

so long, Selene muses. Adaptation is necessary for any species to

by an adaptive predator who sees

find her?" I ask,

leaves a trace. It's just a matter of picking up the right

corrects, but I ignore

we waiting for? Let's go

hand on my shoulder stops me. "Ava, you're in no condition to go anywhere. You need

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