Tangled

143 Ava: An Unusual Letter

I must have fallen asleep.

I don’t remember falling asleep.

Of course you don’t, Selene says with a long yawn. You

were so exhausted you just passed out

mid–conversation with Lucas. He almost tore a nurse’s

head off for taking too long after he pressed the call

button.

Well, I’m glad I missed that overreaction.

You’re fine. It’s just blood loss. They transfused you overnight. You seem a lot better.

I feel a lot better. I didn’t realize how dizzy I was, how my eyes couldn’t focus, until now. Being back to normal feels nice.

Not normal, but better. Selene stretches, flicking her ears at me. Lucas took me on a walk this morning.

Her disgruntled mental voice makes me laugh. How

was it?

Fine. He told me to go potty.

143 Ava An Unusual Letter

I clamp both hands over my mouth, trying my damndest to stifle the hysterical giggles, but the ice–blue eyes staring my way tell me I’ve failed in a most spectacular manner.

Perhaps you should go potty, Selene suggests in a

voice that would have a beautiful home in Antarctica.

“You’re right. I really need to go.” My lips twitch as I shove my blankets off and haul my IV pole with me like a professional hospital patient–which, at this point, it kind of feels like I am.

I do need to pee, though, so I make quick work in the bathroom, grateful for the nurses who were thoughtful enough to bring a disposable toothbrush and

toothpaste. And soap.

I should shower, though. I hate that gross hospital feeling when I wake up here.

You won’t have time. Lucas and Kellan are almost here.

Must be nice to have wolf–nose.

It is.

be nice to rub it

It is

17:36

219

An

minty foam. You’re

the Moon–blessed truth.

Hah.

stare into the mirror, the laughter of my morning quickly fading into the grim reminder that Lisa isn’t here

you have any thoughts on why they crashed the party,

even with the water going. They wanted you. What confuses

Lisa?

But she’s human.

human mated to a wolf. There’s a good chance there’s something in her bloodline. It

mouth, and I gag

An Unusual

out my mouth as quickly

twice more.

awkward, and I get it; she probably didn’t think about how the term ‘vampire snack‘

my best friend, and I’d rather not think of her getting eaten.

Kellan stare at me from the bathroom door–a giant affair, really,

wheelchairs.

doing anything particularly private, because I

concern, I make my way back to bed, dragging that damnable IV pole behind me. “I’m all

amble to the side a bit, and I correct myself, shaking off

mind a little fuzzy from the exertion. Lucas hovers nearby, his brows furrowed with concern. Kellan kneels beside

17:30

Ava An Unusual Letter

stroking her fur and staring out the window once again.

be almost peaceful if not for the lingering dread

drawing my attention. “Ava, do you know a woman named Miriam?”

recall her dark hair and glittering red eyes. The woman who unsettled even my mother, notoriously cold and

My voice is barely above a whisper.

sighs, his expression grim. “Miriam sent us a letter, requesting to see you. She claims you’re in danger and that

“A letter?”

jaw clenches. “It came weeks ago from an Unregistered city near the Blackwood pack lands. It was overlooked while

If I had seen it sooner…”

we had

this”

1 ) |

“There’s no guarantee of that, What did she

you were

in to check me for

and there’s no way he would

few days. Lucas doesn’t ask, but he knows.

to

attention. “It’s possible

distress.”

here, on the heels of a vampire attack…

want to talk to her.

17:38

670

An Unusual