Tangled

Unshift 264

Unshift 264

264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

"How can that be?!"

It's a stupid question. Betrayal comes in all shapes and sizes. It can happen to anyone at any time.

But it's still a shock.

Kellan shakes his head. "It's the only thing that makes sense. Someone knew every move we made. It's why secrecy is valued even here." He rubs the bridge of his nose with a long sigh. "Getting everyone here felt impossible. We lost so many, even after the fighting, during the retreat. Especially after Lucas was hurt."

"He's okay now, right?"

Kellan stares at me, a muscle in his cheek twitching. "To an extent, yes. Your Sister Miriam arrived in time

to stabilize him."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"If she and Selene hadn't been there, Lucas would have succumbed to his injuries."

That can't be possible.

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264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

It's hard enough to accept that he was grievously injured without a single hiccup in the bond between

1. us.

It's worse to think I could have lost him, and had no idea. Even now, the only feeling in my chest is of my bond humming in excitement, ready to see Lucas, impatient with this detour Kellan's devised.

"I can't feel anything different. It feels the same as it always does, in here." I touch my chest, tears filling my eyes at the thought of almost losing Lucas. We've barely had time together, with all these insane happenings around us. "Why didn't I feel it?"

"You have a fated mate connection, but you aren't marked. You aren't mated. You wouldn't feel anything. It's either there, or it isn't." He rubs a hand vigorously over his head, making a face. "Can't feel direction or anything else, not unless they're nearby."

Oh. He's frustrated.

mated to Lisa and has yet to

blurt out. "She should be here

register it. His hands alamn down man muunner arme his grin

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217

<

Ava: Lucas

form bruises. His eyes burn with an

takes my breath away.

raw and emotional in a way I've never seen. Not even when he

reaction. Is this how Lucas felt when he finally found me? My heart flips at the thought, a desperate longing to see him washing over me. I push it aside, focusing on Kellan. "Yes," I assure him,

glances down at his hands, still gripping my arms, and abruptly lets go. Stepping back,

he says, voice clipped. "That was inappropriate of

him, rubbing my arms where his fingers left

do. The relief and hope

is forever burned into my

20.21

37

Ava: Lucas

about their fated connection. I'm not sure how well

over.

get this information?" Kellan asks, all

before we left to come here," I explain. "A man named Acarus told us. He's... connected to Sister Miriam." Kellan's eyebrows rise slightly at that. "Sister Miriam," he murmurs. "She's been quite involved

his head, as if clearing away unwanted thoughts. "About

"I want

carefully. "But there have

the tension he's trying so hard to hide. "What do you mean?" I demand, my voice rising. "Stop beating

20:22

(4/7

Luca

Lucas

free hand down his face. A low growl rumbles in his chest, a sound of frustration and something I can't quite

swallowing hard. "He's not the same

tightens. I can feel my nails digging into his skin, but I can't let go. "Stop being so fucking cryptic and just tell me!" Desperation claws at my insides. "What's wrong with him?" Kellan's eyes snap open, meeting mine. The pain I see

has lost his

stumble back, my hand falling from his arm. "What?" I

process what

That can't be possible.