Tangled

154

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

Their Connection

in a few

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

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

quite meet his eyes. Having a relationship with Lucas is getting in the way of saving

but I don't like the options. he's

you be a part of this, remember? I'm not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from saving her. We just need to take it one step at a time, and not

Kellan's-"

his

a little straighter, and this time the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly

"Now."

minutes, he's back. "Your mother isn't talking. She

Mom.

completely forgotten about her, focused only

Their

seeing her again would be the option I'd

you would. Vanessa's packing up what she needs. We'll head to

ask

still recovering." Lucas points out.

health over this."

"That's fine. I love

"I should

You've suffered a tragedy, and they need their alpha." Reaching out,

watches me with caution. "Clayton is a good friend. A good

the word doesn't go unnoticed, and I watch his shoulders relax slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton, too.

hand to his lips, dropping a soft kiss against the back of it. "Come back

himself back from saying the words he really wants

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

Their

dark circles beneath his

can see the exhaustion, the toll of this

here with me, putting me

insanity of

once berating me or

man starved of affection, his eyes.

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

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

up to protect my heart. But in doing so, I've hurt

need to make this right, as much as

efforts need

Can I do that?

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

mine, his tongue invading my warmth, his

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