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..."

to happen in a few

Ava. Their

in a few

of me already recognizes that, I can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being in danger for

not giving up, Ava. But we need to do this safely. You

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

not sure what the right answer is, but I don't

not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from saving her. We just need to take it

Kellan's-"

his gaze

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

"Now."

again. After a few minutes, he's

Mom.

forgotten about her, focused only on Sister

Their

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

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

ask

recovering." Lucas points out. "I'm not

health over this."

"That's fine. I love

looking torn. "I

your pack. You've suffered a tragedy, and they need

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

He's a good friend." The emphasis on the word doesn't go unnoticed, and I watch his shoulders relax slightly. "I

a soft kiss against the back of it. "Come back to me,

holding himself back from saying

reach out to touch his face, my fingers

Their

the dark circles

see the exhaustion, the

with me, putting me

the insanity of

once berating me or making me feel

starved of affection, his eyes. drifting closed as he

as I lean forward, brushing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand coming up to cup the

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

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,

efforts need

Can I do that?

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

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

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