Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 244 Lisa: Seriously, It's Just Weird

LISA

At the mention of Ava's name, my heart clenches. God, I hope she's okay. I haven't seen her since…

I push the memories away, focusing on the present. "What does Ava have to do with this?"

"Everything," he says simply. "Your friend is at the center of events that could reshape our future, Lisa. She needs allies. People she can trust. People like you."

I shake my head, too confused. I'm missing huge chunks of the picture.

"Sorry, I don't understand. What events? What's happening to Ava? Isn't she safe with Lucas?"

The old man sighs, suddenly looking every bit his advanced age. "She is safe enough, I suppose. But the danger is always present, waiting for the right moment to strike. Decades, if not centuries, of planning have come to fruition, and we're only just learning of it. For now, I will have to apologize as we leave you in the dark a little longer. Just know that you're in a safe place."

"So why tell me anything at all?" I demand, my patience wearing thin. "Why not just leave me in the dark?"

"Because I don't need a human gallivanting off to what she thinks is freedom, only to be snatched up once again." He peers over his spectacles. "You thought of escape at least once, didn't you?"

My cheeks heat a little, even as my chin lifts. The stubbornness deep within me is coming back to life, at least a little certain that I'm safe enough to snap back. "Wouldn't you, in my shoes?"

"Indeed." He chuckles, sipping at his tea again, with the elegant air of a gentleman. Someone you'd see on those TV shows about posh royalty in England. "Hopefully I'll have a little more clear information for you soon enough, to prepare you in the times ahead."

I laugh, the sound bitter even to my own ears. "Prepared? For what? More kidnappings? Torture? Sexual assault?

You know, in the human world, I was never kidnapped. And even Ava has never been kidnapped in the human world. But add werewolves to the mix?" I snap my fingers. "Kidnapped. Twice! And don't get me started on the assault rates in werewolves compared to humans.

I thought humans were bad, but between the wolves and vampires…"

The old man's face softens with sympathy. "I am truly sorry for what you've endured, Lisa. No one should have to suffer as you have. But I promise you, what I offer is not more pain. It's a chance to make a difference. To protect your friend and perhaps save many lives."

want to scoff at his words, to dismiss them as an old man's delusions. But something in his tone, in the earnestness of his gaze, gives me pause. Despite my suspicion of this desperate desire

mean?" I ask

little edge when dealing with wolves and vampires." He points a finger in my direction. "Not as much as being Fae, of course. But for a human like

with that

it sounds more like a curse

realize I'm about to gesture at my breast in front of this man. "Um, a mark on my body. The

was happy when he

unique constitution found in the human world.

point at my chest. "You

He nods.

said anything. They're human.

intensity that makes me want to shrink back. But I hold my ground, determined to get some answers

he begins, his voice low and measured, "are those who were given a second chance at

brow furrows. "A second chance? What do

steeling himself for what he's about to say.

Stillborn? Is he trying to say that I came

mind reels, trying to process this information. I think of my mother, of the love and warmth I've always felt from her. Had she known? Had she made some sort

now, "in their grief and desperation, make a bargain with a High

mother's what, a zombie? That doesn't seem right. None of this

me. "I see what you're thinking. The bargain doesn't always result in immediate

Of course she

isn't about immediate sacrifice," he explains. "It's more of a... contract. When your mother does eventually pass away, her soul will

churns at the thought. The idea of my mother's soul being consumed by some otherworldly being is horrifying. But then another

whisper. "If I was stillborn... does that mean I'm not

but it didn't change your fundamental nature. You're simply enhanced.

a mix of emotions I can't quite sort out. Fear,

now. "Why would the Fae do this? What do they get out of it,