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?"

about posh royalty in England. “Hopefully I'll

my 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 were bad, but between the

softens with sympathy. "I am truly sorry for what you've endured, Lisa, No one should have to suffer as you have. But

as an old man's delusions. But something in his tone, in the earnestness

you mean?"

and encouraging. "You, my child,

244 Lisa: Seriously. It's

Just Weird

a whisper. "If I was stillborn... does that

human?"

human, Lisa. The Fae magic brought you to life, but it didn't change your fundamental nature. You're simply enhanced. For every child

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

the Fae do this? What do they

inscrutable, even to us gnomes. But from what we understand, Fae-blessed humans serve as

Why does he care about Fae-blessed

Fac magic himself. Several have died in his pursuit of that power, and he

as I remember the time he visited me. The way the Mad Prince had touched me. The way he'd been infuriated at my body's lack of passion, like

guess it really

What a freak.

it, and suddenly want nothing more than another shower. Maybe twenty

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