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.

right merry chase around the garden. They call themselves wolves and

rub my hands down her fur, turning my head to the presence

Kellan.

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

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

What?

That

can be mates. He probably didn't realize until he could smell her blood. It's not uncommon. It's a very faint scent in humans until

How fascinating.

be furious

My heart sinks.

Selene assures me, her voice

found her yet?" I ask Kellan, whose head snaps

You're awake. How do

I confirm that the skin is unblemished.

my chest, but I already know

have to get rid

know much about vampires—but I know that

Correct.

everywhere." Kellan looks me over, like I haven't probably

talk about what happened. "What about Lisa?

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

hair. Red eyes. Kind of freaky.

in frustration. "It's impossible to find

"I'm sorry. I didn't

trying to make you feel bad, Ava. It's a common

Selene says. Their appearances are too

Kellan continues, "but even that isn't a guarantee anymore. Not with the new trend of

"Vampires

laugh escapes him. "Not only do they dye their hair, but

me at the thought. Vampires walking freely among the unsuspecting populace, wearing whatever disguise suits

survived so long, Selene muses. Adaptation is necessary

an adaptive predator who sees us as nothing more than

her?" I ask, trying to keep the

ways. Every supernatural leaves a trace. It's just

Selene corrects,

we waiting

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

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