Tangled

140 Ava: Lisa’s Gone

“Ava!”

Kellan’s familiar voice should bring hope, but all I feel is despair as I stare into the distance, wishing that vampire would reappear.

A thousand of them could come and it would be fine. As long as they bring Lisa back.

“Ava! Can you hear me?”

Kellan’s face swims in and out of focus, a hazy blur against the night sky. I squint, trying to bring him into clarity, but it ike trying to grasp smoke.

“They have Lisa,” I whisper, the words scraping my throat raw. “The vampire… He took her.”

Kellan’s eyes widen, a flicker of anguish passing over his features before he schools them into careful neutrality. But I can see the tension in his jaw, the rigidity of his shoulders. He’s barely holding it together.

“I know, Ava. We’ll get her back.” His voice is strained, distracted. Like his mind is a million miles away even

18:12

1/10

140 Ava Lisa’s Gone

as he’s right here with me.

Strong arms scoop me up, cradling me against a broad chest. For a moment, I think it’s Kellan, but the scent is wrong. Earthy and unfamiliar, not the piney–leather smell I associate with him. I turn my head, blinking sluggishly at the face above me. It takes a moment for recognition to click into place. One of the guards from Lisa’s apartment. I can’t recall his name, but I

remember him standing sentry outside her door, stoic and watchful.

He carries me away from the carnage, away from the bodies strewn across the grass like broken dolls. I want to protest, to demand he put me down, but my limbs feel weighted, my tongue thick and useless in my

mouth.

Behind us, I can hear Kellan pacing, his footsteps heavy and agitated against the ground. He’s growling, the sound low and menacing, interspersed with words I can’t quite make out. But one stands out, sharp and clear amid the jumbled mess of my thoughts.

Mate.

He keeps saying it, over and over, like a mantra. Like a

18:12

2/10

140 Ava: Lisa’s Gone

prayer.

I try to focus on him, to call out and ask what he means, but the world is tilting, spinning off its axis. Darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, a black tide threatening to pull me under.

The last thing I see before unconsciousness claims me is Selene running in from the woodline, coming straight for me.

Ava!

***

The hospital ceiling greets me again when I open my Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

eyes.

getting

grumbles, but I can feel her warm weight against me. Someone must have let

did. I wouldn’t leave. Led them on a right merry chase around the garden. They call themselves wolves and can’t even catch a single dog.

rub my hands down her fur, turning my head to the

side.

18:13

3/10

Ava: Lisa’s Gone

Kellan.

hasn’t even noticed that

whisper in my mind. He’s finally realized that they’re fated.

What?

ma

he could smell her blood. It’s not uncommon. It’s a very faint scent in humans until

How fascinating.

be furious to

My heart sinks.

back, Selene assures

found her yet?” I ask Kellan, whose head snaps in

How

18:13

4/10

Lisa’s

my throat, I confirm that the

in my chest,

what that is.

to get rid

don’t know much about vampires–but I know that being bonded with one

Correct.

looks me over, like I haven’t probably been poked and

I reply shortly, not willing to talk about what happened. “What about Lisa? Do

information on her?”

stiffens at her name and shakes his head. “No. Nothing. You said

Kind

rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration. “It’s impossible

description.“.

5/10

Ava: Lisa’s Gone

swirls in my gut. “I’m sorry. I didn’t

waves off my apology. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, Ava. It’s a

says. Their

“but even that isn’t a guarantee anymore.

blink. “Vampires dye their hair?”

dye their hair, but they also wear contacts. They live among humans, completely

thought. Vampires walking freely among the unsuspecting populace, wearing whatever disguise suits them best. It’s a

Adaptation is necessary for any species to thrive.

Right. Lisa’s been taken by an

18:13

6/10

Lisa’s Gone

more than kittens to play with.

her?” I ask, trying to

jaw clenches. “We have our ways. Every

a matter of picking up the right il.”

corrects,

for? Let’s

me. “Ava, you’re in no condition

room spins a little. “I can’t just

time.

argue, but I can feel the exhaustion pulling at me. The adrenaline that kept me going