Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 179 Ava: Surprise Visit

Selene lies curled in a patch of moonlight, her head resting on her tail, eyes closed. Her presence usually brings me comfort, but even she can't soothe the anxiety that grips me now.

The room feels more like a prison than a sanctuary, the air thick with unspoken animosity. I glance out the window again, searching the darkness for any sign of movement, any indication that Lucas and the others are okay.

Nothing, of course.

They're miles away.

Their howls fill the air, raising the hair on my arms and the back of my neck.

It takes time, Selene murmurs, her eyes still closed as she basks in the moonlight.

She looks as relaxed as can be, but the edge in her mental voice tells me otherwise.

The knot in my stomach refuses to unravel. It's the same feeling I had before the attack on the party, a sense of impending doom that crawls beneath my skin and sets my nerves on edge.

The two shifters standing guard don't help matters. They're strangers to me, with unfamiliar faces and rigid stances. The tension in the room is palpable. I can't bring myself to attempt conversation, not when every instinct screams that they despise me.

Minutes drag by, and nothing changes.

No updates.

Only the occasional cough from the guard with short hair and a scar under his left eye.

By the unfocused look that comes over their faces here and there, I know they're listening in to the hunt. They know something.

My thoughts keep circling back to Lucas and the others out there hunting the vampire. The not knowing is torture, my imagination conjuring up increasingly horrific scenarios with each passing second.

I turn to the shifters, my words tight with barely restrained panic.

man with cold brown eyes,

I flinch as if he'd struck me. Heat rushes to my cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and indignation. "I'm worried people will get hurt tonight," I manage to say, my voice

his head in silent warning. They both turn away from me, their dismissal

normally tell me to stand up for myself and not let them treat me like this, but she's

feels the treatment is

wallow, Selene says suddenly, startling me in the silence. I'm only

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

energy floods my limbs and I pace the room, starting with a small square, then expanding my field of march. The

through the air as the tall guard lights up, filling the room with a haze. My nose wrinkles in distaste. "Could you please not smoke in here?" I ask, trying to keep my tone

before blowing the smoke in my direction. "Save

guard elbows him sharply in the ribs, hissing under his breath. "Stop it

tall guard isn't deterred. He leans against the wall, a sneer twisting his features. "She's not even our

a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I know I'm not well-liked

the vampires were only there for her," he continues,

in my mind, but before I can voice them, both guards suddenly collapse

into my throat as a figure materializes out of thin air. Sister Miriam. She bends down, picking up the still-smoldering cigarette from the tall guard's limp fingers. Taking a long

a small, vindictive part of me whispers

apologetic smile on her face. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance, my dear. But I come

positions herself between me and the enigmatic woman. She shouldn't

on your face. Ava, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mad Prince hasn't been able to do much to your precious friend. He's been on a bit of a

"A merry chase?"