Tangled

Unshift 259

Unshift 259

259 Ava: Going to Lucas

No shit.

I could have told him that; in so many ways, wolf packs are far behind their human counterparts. Even the humans have run little news clips on these things. Especially the rates of sexual assault. on women, or wolf-on-wolf violence.

"How do you know this?" Vanessa asks suspiciously. "You said communication has bee disrupted."

"Not all communication. Only those relying on human technology.

"Then shouldn't you know more about what's happening in the world?" I frown at the Inconsistency.

"If I had people to communicate with, I would know. I don't, so I am as lost as you are, Here. A map." Acarus tosses a rolled up paper to Marcus.

witchling.

For some reason, I expected something old and antique, with yellowed paper and jagged edges.

This is more like a smooth poster banner, neatly rolled up. A modern map.

Of course it is. Why would I think otherwise?

Distracted by thoughts of Lisa, I tune them out as they discuss routes and nearby cities. Ever since I decided to become a proper Luna, I've avoided thinking about her, leaving me with an icky feeling that I'm a terrible friend.

It's like no matter what, every decision feels wrong.

But every time I go down that road, I'm told I'm wallowing.

There's a huge part of me that still thinks I should have gone my own way and saved Lisa. Of course there is. Who wouldn't want to tell the world to fuck off and save their best friend?

But her safety came out of luck, not from the effort I put into it. Not even from the efforts of Lucas' pack.

It adds to that guilt rolling around in my soul.

Thinking about Lisa and the time after her kidnapping has my mind wandering down the dark days of not knowing anything, until Sister Miriam-

"Wait a second. Acarus, maybe you can answer this question"

to look toward me. "What

mother able to stop

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa look

Going

know?" he asks, the

it out when she visited me after

his head, he turns his attention back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There

shuddering. I know the

'stop time? at me, but I

another day. If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay alive, I'll keep

lends us a

The engine sputters in a way that has Marcus doubtful it can even get us to the place marked on the map, and Vanessa holds onto the door for dear life as we bounce our way down

saying he only goes where his

He's a strange person.

is nothing but Marcus muttering directions to himself as he makes his way through the back roads, avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive would only take three hours, apparently. But with how the world is burning, we

enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance

and about three-quarters full. A piece of

toward it.

Her lips curve, her eyes dancing. "He can't respond,

the way."

I close my eyes, reaching

can't feel Selene; there's only

tugging in my chest, not quite painful, but a definite pressure. It's different

Well, not him, but my

It

mark."

Ava: Going to

and

taking on a thoughtful tone, "considering everything that's happened, maybe it's time you and

words catch me off guard, and I feel a blush

You'd be able to sense each other more clearly, communicate better. In

it slow-mostly because of me. I wanted to

happened,

think we should? Even

the physical aspect, Ava. A completed mate bond strengthens both partners. You'd be able to draw on each other's strength, share energy. And in a crisis like this,