Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 271 Lisa: To Safety

LISA

Eventually, there's nothing else I can help the nurses with, and I wander back to the table. It's been hours. We came to the farmhouse in the early morning, and now it's well past noon. Aside from a few packages of crackers and some water from the sink, my belly's empty.

My stomach growls. The crackers and water did little to satisfy my hunger.

The Grand Sage speaks to Ryder, his voice low but clear. "The problem isn't with the individual phones. They're fine, but the networks are all corrupted. They aren't communicating properly. From what I can tell, it's all hacked. Someone's taken control."

"So…" Ryder takes his phone with a sigh. "It won't be fixed anytime soon."

"Correct."

The Grand Sage hands Chloe and Mia back their phones. The two women exchange a glance before leaving after a brief word from Ryder. Something about their interaction feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

While the Grand Sage and Ryder continue discussing, curiosity gets the better of me. I slip outside, thankful that I'm not particularly noticeable.

A cool breeze brushes against my cheeks as I watch Chloe part ways with Mia. To my surprise, Chloe doesn't head back to wherever she came from. Instead, she steps behind a nearby building.

I frown, inching closer. What is she doing?

From my vantage point, I can see Chloe tapping away at her phone. It's strange—didn't the Grand Sage just explain that no cell phones are getting a signal? Yet here she is, acting like everything's normal.

My heart races as I watch her bring the phone to her ear. I strain to hear what she's saying, but she's too far away. I take a step closer, leaves crunching under my feet.

Chloe's head snaps up, and I duck behind a bush. When I peek out again, she's ending the call, her movements quick and furtive.

Something's not right here.

I make my way back to the farmhouse, my mind whirling. As soon as I spot the Grand Sage, I sidle up to him, keeping my voice low. "I just saw something strange," I murmur, relaying what I witnessed outside.

reported the matter to the delta,"

Ryder's no longer here. The room feels emptier now, with only

on his wrist. I glance down at the bracelet he gave me earlier,

My blood runs cold as I

Battle cries.

fear and adrenaline

around my arms, and I'm being hustled out the back door of the farmhouse. "That

"You expected this?"

saw

barn, our feet pounding

is like something out of a nightmare. All around, able-bodied shifters are locked in

portal hangs in the air, defying all logic and reason. People pour out of it, weapons raised and faces contorted with rage. It's

moving!" Elverly's voice snaps me back

my eyes away from the battle and focus

and Elverly flank me, their urgency palpable in the air. We burst through the barn doors, and for a split second, I

Sage's sharp intake of breath, followed by a string of

towards us with inhuman speed. Their faces

Sage's voice cracks like a whip, snapping me out of my terrified trance. "Into the

scramble towards the familiar contraption, my hands shaking as I reach for the top hatch. It feels like an eternity before my fingers find

feels like the most welcoming place in the world. I press myself against the far wall, making room for Elverly as she practically

on the opening. Where's the Grand Sage? He was right behind

his eyes wild with fear and determination. With a grunt, he squeezes his tiny frame through the

vampires are so close now, I can hear their snarls. They're completely feral. My whole body trembles, and I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming. This is

going back

agility for his size. His hands fly over the control panel, fingers dancing across buttons and levers. I don't understand what he's doing, but I pray to whatever higher power

to close,

pale face pops over, red

throat, and I squeeze my eyes shut,

a resounding clang