Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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.

I wouldn't leave. Led them on a right merry chase around the garden. They call themselves wolves and can't

out a soft snort, I rub my hands down her fur, turning my head to the presence I can sense

Kellan.

hasn't even noticed that

in my mind. He's

What?

Fated? That makes

humans 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 the bonding takes

How fascinating.

to be furious to

My heart sinks.

assures me, her voice strong

her yet?" I ask Kellan, whose head snaps

How

Reaching for the side of my throat, I confirm that the skin is unblemished. "Nothing wrong at

an odd burning in my chest,

We have

know much about vampires—but I know that being bonded

Correct.

I haven't probably been poked and prodded

willing to talk about what happened. "What about Lisa? Do we have any information on

and shakes his head. "No. Nothing. You said a vampire took

Red eyes. Kind of freaky. Kept

bridge of his nose in frustration. "It's impossible to find a single vampire

"I'm sorry.

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

says. Their

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

"Vampires dye their

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

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

how they've survived so long, Selene muses. Adaptation is necessary for any species

sees us as nothing more than kittens to

I ask, trying to keep the desperation from

clenches. "We have our ways. Every supernatural leaves a trace. It's just a matter of picking up the

every supernatural, Selene corrects, but I

waiting for?

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