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..."

Lisa isn't going to happen in a few hours. It

Their

in a

already recognizes that, I can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being in danger for that long without help. "I can't just

we need to do this safely. You understand,

I just don't agree with it. Knowing that, I can't quite meet his eyes. Having a relationship with

but I don't like the options.

shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from saving her. We just

Kellan's-"

his gaze

conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can you be packed?"

"Now."

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

Mom.

her, focused

Their

option I'd choose at any other time, but not now. Not with Lisa's

what she needs. We'll head to the airport

ask

still recovering." Lucas points out.

health over this."

enough. "That's fine.

torn. "I should

tragedy, and they

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

go unnoticed, and I watch his shoulders relax slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton, too. About us.

kiss against the back

words are strained, as if he's holding himself back from saying the words he

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

Ava: Their

the dark circles beneath

exhaustion,

yet he's here with me,

the insanity

once berating me or making me feel

like a man starved of affection, his eyes. drifting closed as he lets out a

forward, brushing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

at a distance for so long, walls up to protect my heart. But in doing so,

to make this right, as

need to

Can I do that?

around my waist as he stands, the angle of our kiss

tongue invading my warmth, his hand tugging my head back by

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