Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 446: Ava: Angry

Vanessa sighs. "I'm not familiar enough with vampires to give much advice here. We really need to work on our inter-species medical knowledge."

"It isn't just vampires, though. Lisa didn't like men being near her. That's probably a trauma response, don't you think?"

She pinches the bridge of her nose, and I realize her fingers seem swollen. The dark circles under her eyes are pronounced, and her dark hair—normally pulled back into a professional ponytail—is a mess. "Yes, I would assume so. I'm not a counselor, though. If it's that bad, she's going to need serious intervention with a professional." Her eyes dart toward me, as if underlining her suggestion.

She probably is. She's suggested the same for me on several occasions, and I keep blowing her off.

Therapy, Selene muses.

They both need it.

Ignoring my ever-present voices, I watch Kellan instead. He's standing by the bathroom door with his arms crossed, waiting for Lisa to come out. She's been in there for at least half an hour, and the hot water should be depleted by now.

At least Lisa has Kellan by her side. Someone who's kind and sweet and waits for her. Their relationship isn't solid yet, and it's clearly from Lisa holding back, but it isn't fractured, either. Maybe I should schedule some girl time and talk to her. She never liked the idea of a fated mate connection forcing her hand, but she's not as resistant as she once was…

My stomach twists. I'm sitting here wondering if I can convince her to mate bond with Kellan when she isn't ready. You can't just push a mate bond like that.

It's not a bad idea, though, Selene pipes up. Having a properly cemented bond would probably weaken, if not destroy, any connection the vampire has with her. But her words are a little hesitant.

A mate bond won't destroy a previously existing bond, but her ability to resist will be strengthened based on the strength of her partner, Grimoire lectures Selene in that pompous way of his. It is a good idea, but humans can be rather closed-minded to lifetime contracts.

What is this connection the Mad Prince still holds over Lisa? We've talked about her experience as a captive, but it isn't like she went into extreme detail. Selene sensed nothing, and Sister Miriam never said anything, so we assumed she was free of his influence this entire time… "We were too complacent," I murmur.

She doesn't smell as if she's contracted, Selene points out. Whatever it is, it has to be temporary.

Scent means nothing.

"…more worried about her getting hurt. It seems to be some sort of compulsion, don't you think?"

Vanessa's words break through the noise of Selene and Grimoire's conversation, and I blink. "Sorry, can you say that again?"

Vanessa clears her throat. "I'm worried about Lisa having another episode. Whatever happened out there seems like some sort of compulsion, and she might get hurt if we try to stop her again." Her gaze shifts to Kellan, who hasn't moved from his post by the bathroom door. "Restricting her movements wouldn't be good for her mental state, but we still need to consider options in case it happens again."

The air around Kellan darkens, his broad shoulders tensing as he stares at the front door. My stomach twists at his expression—I know that look. It's the same one Lucas gets when he thinks I need protection.

of keeping her locked

easier if I could," Kellan growls, his words

with a bang. Lisa stands in a cloud of steam, dressed in an oversized shirt and sweatpants, her black hair dripping wet and eyes blazing. "I am not going to

my heart breaks. I step forward, ready to

like tranquilizers if another episode occurs." Vanessa's

her neck as her outrage deflates, replaced by obvious embarrassment

I'm pretty sure he's thinking about locking her in their cabin until the Mad Prince is dead. That's absolutely the kind of reaction Lucas would

notice. "A

her. "No, nothing that dramatic. Just a regular injectable. Though I should

is what it is." Lisa's shoulders slump in

push him away—but then she just stares at his

meet Vanessa's. A small smile tugs at

have you figured out?" Lisa's voice is muffled against Kellan's shirt.

you're under some kind

a little against Kellan's hold, as if he's squeezing her too hard. His tense arms relax, and Lisa turns around until her back

It's cute.

she mumbles, but her eyes slide off to a random corner of

and Grimoire materializes in his child form, hovering cross-legged in front of Lisa. His cherubic face

did

of her shirt. "I don't... I'm

after?" Grimoire presses. "How

memory's fuzzy around

spirit's eyes narrow. "Did you

A growl rumbles through the

of annoyance, and I have to stifle the urge

mouth shut," Kellan snarls, his voice promising

flinch. The growling stops,

that important?" Her eyes fix on the floor as she continues, her words a bare mumble. "He was...

at her words. At what she's trying so hard not to say directly. For a second, I want to

Selene says, her worry clear in her

shove those memories far from this place and moment. It isn't

experienced, the stronger the feedback loop in any bonding or