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"

mid-sentence to look

mother able to stop

He stares.

One second..

Two.

and Vanessa look

Going to

the

nod. "Figured it out when she visited me after the

his attention back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There are certain talents people would kill to get their hands

his words has me shuddering. I know

time? at me, but I just shake my

day. If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay

lends us a

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

follow, saying he only goes where his mother tells

He's a strange person.

avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive

enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance out the window. It's dark. Lots of stars in the

about three-quarters full. A piece of

toward it.

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

the way."

within me, and I close my eyes, reaching out

only

there's a faint tugging in my chest, not quite painful, but a definite pressure. It's different from my connection with Selene, yet

Well, not him, but my bond

wonderful, Ava. It means he's okay. It would probably hurt if he wasn't. Though..." Her

mark."

Ava: Going to

us, and

tone, "considering everything that's happened, maybe it's time you

off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "What do you

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

slow-mostly because of me. I wanted to

that's happened,

think we should? Even in

bond strengthens both partners. You'd be able