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 toward me. "What is

your mother able

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa

Going

he asks, the

it out when she visited me after

attention back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There are

I know the feeling of

'stop time? at me, but I just

a conversation for another day. If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order

us

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 the gravel road out of

goes where his

He's a strange person.

major highways. If we took one, the drive would only take

shoulder. I'm in the backseat, which is basically a tiny bench that pretends it's big enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance out the window.

about three-quarters full. A piece of my soul

toward it.

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

the way."

I close my

there's only vast emptiness

a definite

can feel Lucas. Well, not

It would probably hurt if he wasn't. Though..." Her brows draw together.

mark."

Ava: Going

us, and buoys my wearied

"considering everything that's

feel a blush creeping up my cheeks.

partial bond 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 clearly, communicate better. In times like these, that could make all the difference. And

me. I wanted to be accepted by

with everything that's happened, Vanessa

really think we should? Even

aspect, Ava. A completed mate bond strengthens both partners. You'd be able to draw on each other's strength, share energy. And