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."

up before I can stop it. "God, it really is, isn't it? Sounds like something

shimmers, molecules rearranging themselves until Grimoire materializes in the chair to my left. He's in his adult form, but at

want?" he asks

finally turning her face in order to meet his silver gaze. "Tell me honestly. How bad is it for me? Since the

la

his head, my hand passing through his form but carrying enough magical force

her face pale against

face as he seems to register

fade within days," he explains, voice softer now. "But a stronger one might establish a more

shoulders hunching forward. "It's clear

"Obviously," Grimoire says.

eyes narrow. "Then why did

flaring across his features. "When did I ask you? I was explaining, and

scrunch my nose at Grimoire's dismissive tone. He might be ancient and powerful, but Lisa's my best friend, and nobody gets to treat

eyes widen a fraction, real concern

his gaze, refusing

really hurts today, right where the crazy bastard bit me." She rubs at her thigh through her jeans

Ava's vampire friend," he says, his voice dropping to a more

a dhampir,

right now," Grimoire

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

"It's unlikely we'll be able to break the bond you have with the

Lisa shoves some egg into her

is to assume the worst," Grimoire continues. "That you have a permanent link to the Mad Prince, rendering you vulnerable to his

my chest. "What are the odds, though? Does this happen all the time? With

head, silver eyes reflecting the morning light streaming through the window. "Intent matters. While over half of vampire attacks on humans are also sexual in nature, very few involve a long-term arrangement. Vampires

have another question. Can being fed on a lot change your entire personality? Because Marisol was always... different. When I first met her, I thought she was a

taps his fingers against the table. "I can't be sure. Vampires are notoriously possessive of their thralls, usually

the table to squeeze her hand. Something soft pings against my awareness—it's coming from