Tangled

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154

154 Ava: Their Connection (1)

My face falls, but he reaches out, cupping my cheek with one warm hand. "I'm furious that you put yourself in danger. That's all." Well, that's fair.

But I'd do it again. In a heartbeat. No matter what he thinks.

His eyes narrow. "You're thinking that you'd do it again, aren't you?" Suspicion laces his voice.

Maybe avoiding the question is better than answering it. "Where do we go from here?"

"With what?" His thumb rubs over my cheek, his golden eyes dark as he watches me.

"Everything. Lisa. The vampires. My powers."

He sighs. "I don't know. It's a lot to think about."

When his hand drops from my face, I'm disappointed by the absence of his warmth. Still, I try to focus on what's important. "Have you ever heard of the Mad Prince before?"

"No." Lucas frowns. "Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about vampires and the Unregistered cities. A few basic things, but we've become complacent in the overall peace of the world. I'm going to have to fix tha

"How?"

His head shakes slightly, and his eyes look a little unfocused. He's probably talking to Kellan through the pack link again, so I wait patiently for him to finish.

12.17

154 Ava. Thoir Connection (1)

"It's dangerous to send scouts to the Unregistered city," he murmurs. "Few make it back alive."

His words are a shock, and my hands grow cold. I understand that I'm a little sheltered, but I've watched enough human news to know a few things. I had no idea the relationship with vampires was that fraught. "There are humans who live in the Unregistered cities. Plenty of people come and go through them-they are a modern city like any other. Internet, stores, cars. But they don't welcome most shifters."

I hesitate, thinking back on my conversation with Sister Miriam. "It sounds like they do some business with rogue wolves."

"Yes." He frowns. "That doesn't help us, though."

No, but if I work with Sister Miriam...

But by the look on Lucas' face, I don't think that's going to be an option in his mind.

Of course not.

Isn't Selene supposed to be watching TV?

I can still hear you two, you know.

"Ava." His voice grabs my attention, as he grips my hands tightly. "I need you to promise me that you aren't going to see Sister Miriam without talking to me first."

"Lucas..."

happen in a

Their Connection

in a

I can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being in

Ava. But we need to do this safely. You understand,

his eyes. Having a relationship with Lucas is getting in

sure what the right answer is, but I don't like the options.

I would let you be a part of this, remember? I'm not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from saving her. We

Kellan's-"

his

time the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can you be

"Now."

unfocused again. After a few minutes, he's back. "Your mother isn't talking.

Mom.

about her, focused

Their Connection

I say without hesitation. Never seeing her again would be the option I'd choose at any other time, but not now. Not

packing up what she needs. We'll head to the

ask

points out. "I'm not

health over this."

fine. I

hesitates, looking torn. "I should

your pack. You've suffered a tragedy, and they need their alpha." Reaching out, I grab his hand. "Send Kellan with me.

there, too. And... Clayton." Lucas watches me with caution. "Clayton is a good friend. A

"I need to talk to

a soft kiss against

if he's holding himself back from saying the words

between us, I reach out to touch his face, my fingers brushing against the harsh

Ava: Their Connection

circles beneath his

can see the exhaustion,

he's here with

the insanity of my

once berating me or

of affection, his eyes. drifting closed

against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders,

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

him at a distance for so long, walls up to protect my heart. But in doing so, I've hurt him too. Damaged the fragile roots of what we've been growing

need to make this right, as much as

need

Can I do that?

waist as he stands, the angle of our kiss deepening as he yanks me flush against

something else, his mouth slanting against mine, his tongue invading my warmth, his hand tugging

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