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

your mother able

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa

Going

know?" he asks, the words even and

when she visited me after

such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey.

I know the feeling

mouths, 'stop time? at me, but I just shake

If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay alive,

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

doesn't follow, saying he only goes where

He's a strange person.

the back roads, avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive

it's big enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance out the window. It's dark. Lots of stars in the sky, telling us we're far from any large human city. No

moon is bright too, and about three-quarters full. A piece

toward it.

lips curve, her eyes dancing. "He can't respond, but I told

the way."

and I close my eyes,

there's only vast emptiness where her consciousness should

chest, not quite painful, but a definite pressure. It's different from my connection

I can feel Lucas. Well, not him, but

Ava. It means he's okay. It would probably hurt if

mark."

Going to

us, and

everything that's happened, maybe it's time you and Lucas finalized your mating

catch me off guard, and I feel a

now is a handicap, Ava. If you were fully. mated, your connection would be stronger. You'd be able to sense each other more clearly,

been taking it slow-mostly because of me. I wanted to be accepted by

everything that's happened, Vanessa

think we should? Even

You'd be able to draw on each other's strength, share energy.