Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 445: Lisa: What Happened?

LISA

Everyone's acting strangely, but I can't blame them—my mind's busy whirling with how I got outside without any memory of it. It's clear I've lost a decent chunk of time, because last I remember, Lucas wasn't back yet.

"Take a shower," Ava suggests, worry etched in the lines of her forehead. Her light blue eyes seem darker than usual, and it's clear she isn't telling me something.

My fingers catch in my tangled hair. The strands are stiff with cold, and my scalp protests the rough treatment. My toes feel like blocks of ice in my shoes, so a hot shower sounds perfect right now.

But Kellan won't look at me. His jaw is tight, his shoulders stiff, and his eyes fix on some point over my head. My stomach twists. What did I do? What happened in that blank space of time I can't remember?

Lucas and Ava hover nearby, and the awkwardness thickens with each passing second. Ava's face does that thing it does when she's having a conversation with someone else—probably Selene or her magical book friend. No one's leaving, despite the suggestion to shower, and I wonder where Selene went. She was with us until we got home.

Ava's eyes dart between me and Lucas, and understanding dawns on her face. "Lucas, go back. We'll wait for Vanessa."

There's someone else coming? "Um, why is Vanessa…?"

"We need to check for frostbite." Kellan's voice is rough, sounding almost… irritated, maybe. He still won't look at me.

A nervous laugh bubbles up. "I don't have frostbite. My toes are just cold."

Silence. Heavy, oppressive silence. Kellan's jaw works, but no words come out.

Fine. Whatever. I turn toward the bathroom, my movements stiff and awkward. Questions swirl in my head—what happened out there? Why won't anyone tell me straight out? Why are they all acting like I might break?

it with a sigh, only to jump when Ava knocks on the

holds out, but before Ava can slip away, I grab her hands. The fabric bunches between our palms.

something softer, sadder. Without a word, she steps inside and closes the door

"Ave?"

on figuring it

Is there a strange magical parasite in my

The words scratch past

Ava pulls back, her hands firm on my shoulders. "I said don't worry. We're

story. There's fear there,

itself in knots. "What aren't you

okay? Vanessa's coming to

come out sharper than intended. "Ava, please. I lost time. I ended up outside somehow. Kellan won't even look at me. What

hesitates, and that hesitation speaks volumes. "Grimoire thinks it has to

magitech tendencies to worry about. But my knees go weak, and Ava squeaks as she catches me from falling on my ass. "Lise,

a tiny bit of okay. But I nod mechanically. "Yeah,

into mine, her blue eyes sharp as she stares me down. Then she sighs. "I'm sorry. I was trying to avoid telling you so your shower would be more relaxing, but

again secure beneath me. "It's fine. I'll be okay. I'll

out? Not sure. My thigh throbs

of fabric hitting tile makes me look down. When did I drop the clothes?

them up, setting them on the counter with careful movements. Her

to shield me from something neither of us can see. "I won't let it happen again. I swear, Lisa. No matter what it takes, I'll keep you

I blink rapidly to keep the tears from falling. A lump forms in my throat, making it impossible to speak.