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?"

on those TV shows about posh royalty in England. “Hopefully I'll have a little more clear information for you soon enough, to

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

But I promise you, what I offer is not more pain. It's a chance to make a difference. To protect your friend and perhaps save many

scoff at his words, to dismiss them as an old man's delusions. But something in his tone, in the earnestness of his gaze, gives me pause. Despite my suspicion

do you mean?" I ask

and encouraging. "You, my child, are Fae-blessed.

244 Lisa: Seriously. It's

Just Weird

say, my voice barely above 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

bringing with it a mix of emotions I can't quite sort out. Fear, confusion, a strange sort of wonder, and underneath it all,

now. "Why would the Fae do this? What do they

man sighs, leaning back in his chair. "The motivations of the Fae are complex and often inscrutable, even to us gnomes. But from what we understand, Fae-blessed humans

this vampire-the Mad Prince? Why does

an obsession with them. He once. believed that by consuming the essence of a Fae-blessed human, he can gain access to Fac magic himself. Several have died

visited me. The way the Mad Prince had touched me. The way he'd been infuriated at

it

What a freak.

thinking about it, and suddenly want

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