Tangled

Unshift 244

Unshift 244

244 Lisa: Seriously, It's Just Weird

LISA

At the mention of Ava's name, my heart clenches. God, I hope she's okay. I haven't seen her

since....

I push the memories away, focusing on the present. "What does Ava have to do with this?" "Everything," he says simply. "Your friend is at the center of events that could reshape our future, Lisa. She needs allies. People she can trust. People like you."

I shake my head, too confused. I'm missing huge chunks of the picture.

"Sorry, I don't understand. What events? What's happening to Ava? Isn't she safe with

The old man sighs, suddenly looking every bit his advanced age. "She is safe enough, I suppose. But the danger is always present, waiting for the right moment to strike. Decades, if not centuries, of planning have come to fruition, and we're only just learning of it. For now, I will have to apologize as we leave you in the dark a little longer. Just know that you're in a safe place."

"So why tell me anything at all?" I demand, my patience wearing thin. "Why not just leave me in the dark?"

"Because I don't need a human gallivanting off to what she thinks is freedom, only to be snatched up once again" He peers over his spectacles. "You thought of escape at least once, didn't you?" My cheeks heat a little, even as my chin lifts. The stubbornness deep within me is coming back to life, at least a little certain that I'm safe enough to snap back. "Wouldn't you, in my shoes?"

Someone you'd see on those TV shows about posh royalty in England. “Hopefully I'll have a little more clear

own ears. "Prepared? For what? More kidnappings? Torture? Sexual assault? You know, in the human world, I was never kidnapped. And even Ava has never been kidnapped in the human world. But add werewolves to the mix?" I snap my fingers. "Kidnapped. Twice! And don't get me started on the assault rates in werewolves compared to humans. I thought humans

for what you've endured, Lisa, No one should have to suffer as you have. But I promise you, what

them as an old man's delusions. But something in his tone, in the earnestness of his gaze, gives me pause. Despite my suspicion of this desperate desire to trust him, I consider his

do you mean?" I ask

warm and encouraging. "You,

244 Lisa: Seriously. It's

Just Weird

a whisper. "If I

human?"

old man's expression softens. "You are very much human, Lisa. The Fae magic brought you to life, but it didn't change your fundamental nature. You're simply enhanced. For every child brought back to life, a tiny piece of a High Fae

with it a mix of emotions I can't quite sort out. Fear, confusion, a strange sort of

demand, my voice stronger now. "Why would the Fae do this? What do

motivations of the Fae are complex and often inscrutable, even to us gnomes. But from what we understand, Fae-blessed humans serve as a sort of bridge between our world and theirs. You have an innate connection to Fac magic,

this vampire-the Mad Prince? Why

can gain access to Fac magic himself. Several have died in his pursuit of that power, and he never succeeded. But he gains something from their blood, even if it isn't Fae magic.

I remember the time he visited me. The way the Mad Prince had touched me. The

guess it

What a freak.

dirty even thinking about it, and suddenly want nothing more than another shower. Maybe

are you trying to say? If all this is true-" which it can't be, because my parents are normal humans and definitely have never talked to some High Fae Priestess or whatever, "-then what is your