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 to trust

do you mean?"

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 a human like you,

that phrase.

it sounds more like a curse

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 at my breast in front of this man. "Um, a mark on my

was happy when

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

I point at my chest. "You mean,

He nods.

said anything.

intensity that

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

brow furrows. "A second chance? What do

about to say. "They were stillborn babies, Lisa. Infants who never took their first

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

of the love and warmth I've always

man continues, his voice gentle now, "in their grief and desperation, make

zombie? That doesn't seem right.

to calm me. "I see what you're thinking. The bargain doesn't always result in immediate death. Your mother is still

nod. Of course she

of a... contract. When your mother does eventually pass away, her soul will

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

"If I was

your fundamental nature. You're simply enhanced. For every child brought

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 all,

stronger now. "Why would the Fae do this? What do