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."

the earnestness of his gaze,

do you mean?" I ask

This gives you a 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

with that

now, it sounds more like a curse than

does that even mean? I heard Marisol say it. My captor. She even showed me…" My words stop abruptly when I realize I'm about to gesture

when he

has an obsession with Fae-blessed humans. It's a unique constitution found in the human world. Do you truly not know anything about it? Have your parents not spoken to

at my chest. "You mean,

He nods.

They've never said anything.

Very interesting. Very well, child." The old man leans forward, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that makes me want to shrink back. But I hold my ground,

were given a second chance at life through a bargain

furrows. "A second chance? What do you

himself for what he's about to say. "They were stillborn babies, Lisa. Infants who

the gut. Stillborn? Is he trying to say that I came

of the love and warmth I've

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

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

up a hand, as if to calm me. "I see what you're thinking. The bargain doesn't

Of course she

of a... contract. When your mother does eventually pass

the thought. The idea of my mother's soul being consumed by some

my voice barely above a whisper. "If I

human, Lisa. The Fae magic brought you to life, but it didn't change your fundamental nature. You're simply enhanced. For every child brought back to life, a tiny piece of a High

word echoes in my head, bringing with it a mix of emotions I can't quite sort out. Fear, confusion, a strange sort of wonder, and underneath it

my voice stronger now. "Why would the Fae do this? What do they get out of it, besides... besides feeding