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."

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

mean?" I ask

gives you a little edge when dealing with wolves and vampires." He points

that

sounds more like a

heard Marisol say it. My captor. She even showed me…" My words stop abruptly when I realize I'm about to gesture at my breast in front

was happy when

in the human world. Do you truly not know anything about it? Have your parents not spoken

at my chest. "You

He nods.

said anything. They're

an intensity that makes me want to shrink back. But I

his voice low and measured, "are those who were

furrows. "A second

himself for what he's about to say. "They were stillborn babies, Lisa. Infants who never took their

to the gut. Stillborn? Is he trying

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?

continues, his voice gentle now, "in their grief and desperation, make a bargain with a High Fae

So my mother's what, a zombie? That doesn't seem right. None of this makes sense. He's fucking with me. He has

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

Of course she

contract. When your mother does eventually pass

The idea of my mother's soul being consumed by some otherworldly being is horrifying. But then

I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "If I was

magic brought you to life, but it didn't change your fundamental

bringing with it a mix of emotions I can't quite sort out. Fear, confusion, a strange sort of wonder,

now. "Why would the Fae do this? What