Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 449: Ava: Ping

"You went through it too, didn't you?"

Scooping scrambled eggs out of a pan isn't usually hard, but the cast-iron pan isn't as non-stick as I was told it was. Or maybe I'm using it wrong. Either way, there's an entire layer of egg still on it.

I'll deal with it later.

"What do you mean?" Tossing the wooden spatula into the pan, I squint across the kitchen at Lisa, having only acquired three-quarters of the eggs onto a plate. "You can't just ask me an open-ended question without context."

Lisa's got her chin in her hand, staring out the kitchen window at the hustle and bustle outside. Clayton's group has arrived, and I'm playing hooky over my Luna responsibilities out of deference to my mate's uncomfortable feelings when it comes to the Aspen Alpha.

It isn't like I'm going to avoid him the entire time he's here, or anything. Lucas just seemed a little on edge about his arrival.

Lisa shifts in her seat, fingers drumming against her cheek. "You know, when Todd… Did what he did. Was there ever any, um, pleasure? Even if you didn't want it?"

My body freezes. I don't think of Todd Mason often anymore, but there are nightmares sometimes.

Lisa's eyes are fixed on something beyond the window; she doesn't look at me even once.

Taking a breath, I grab the plate and slide it in front of her, along with a fork. "No," I admit, the answer coming out steady despite the rawness of the topic. "I didn't. But I've heard it's more common than you'd think."

Lisa nods, poking at the eggs with her fork, but still without turning her head. It's like she's afraid of accidentally making eye contact. "Yeah. We probably watched the same documentary."

I drag out the chair across from her, dropping into it with a thud. Folding my arms on the table, I rest my chin on them, watching Lisa push the eggs around her plate without taking a bite.

The silence stretches, punctuated by distant voices outside and the scrape of her fork against ceramic. The reason she's talking now is probably because of the wardstone on the table. No one can hear us.

"Can you..." Lisa stops, clears her throat. "Can Grimoire come out? I want to know more about this link I have with the crazy bastard."

I blink, surprised by the request.

"I refuse to call him the Mad Prince anymore," Lisa adds, voice stronger now. "I've always thought it was a cringey name, anyway."

it. "God, it really is, isn't it? Sounds like

air beside me shimmers, molecules rearranging themselves until Grimoire materializes in the chair to my

do you want?" he asks Lisa,

face in order to meet his silver gaze. "Tell me

Orgasm? Climax? Experience la petite

hand passing through his form but carrying enough magical

face pale against the dark curtain of her

his face as he seems to register the genuine distress in Lisa's

one might establish a more permanent link, even if weak. It depends on intent—was he trying to create a thrall, or was it

her arms around herself, shoulders hunching forward. "It's clear he

"Obviously," Grimoire says.

narrow. "Then

his features. "When did I ask you? I was

but Lisa's my best friend, and nobody gets to treat her this way—especially not after everything she's been through. "One more snarky comment and I'll let

silvery eyes widen a fraction, real concern flashing across his features. "You

I hold his gaze, refusing

bastard bit me." She rubs at her thigh through her jeans again. "It's like it's... pulsing. I can't get

intensity. "We really need to contact Ava's vampire friend,"

dhampir, Selene

aren't helpful right now," Grimoire

Lisa mumbles, stabbing at her eggs with renewed vigor. Since she

able to break the bond

kitchen suddenly feels colder. Lisa shoves some egg into her mouth,

option is to assume the worst," Grimoire continues. "That you have a permanent link to

my arms tight across my chest. "What are the odds, though? Does this happen

half of vampire attacks on humans are also sexual in nature, very few involve

being fed on a lot change your entire personality? Because Marisol was always... different.

are notoriously possessive of their thralls, usually keeping them nearby or in safe locations, like prized

and I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. Something soft pings against my awareness—it's coming from one of my perimeter wards, but it's weird. I