Tangled

Unshift 275

Unshift 275

275 Ava: Visitors

"Ava." D

My head feels like it weighs a million pounds. My ears feel stuffed and woolly. And Kellan's hands. dragging me to my feet are like burning embers pressed against my skin.

"What?"

"You passed out."

Staring at him blankly, it takes a while for my brain to catch up to his words. "Oh. Shit. I guess that's one way to deal with stress; just let your body shut down.

Don't really recommend it.

and Kellan doesn't ask questions about my visit with Lucas, just escorts me back to the cottage a makes sure I'm taken care of. Brings lunch I don't want to eat and promises to check on me in

another hour or two.

Of course, lunch is out of the question. My stomach's too queasy for that. And until Sister Miriam and Selene return, I don't have a great way to get information on what happened to Lucas' wolf. I'm definitely not going to tell people he doesn't have one; the pack needs stability, not another

blow.

I'm not even sure Kellan knows.

I

The thought that Lucas may have trusted me with a little secret buoys my depressed spirits by a

millimeter or two.

a part of him wanting to

if he doesn't want to see me for the rest of the

Fuck.

bill for all the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash

to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't

if I can wash away the memory

It doesn't work.

runs out. Dressing in the clothes I was just

Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all been

me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from

13

275 Ava: Visitors

my eyes shut, sleep doesn't come. Instead, there's a constant replay in my mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of our history involved

I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels

soft knock at the door startles me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

across the room and into her

this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence a lifeline I cling

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing

pull back, wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I just... it's

is grim as she asks,

barely above

eyes dart to the side before

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's

from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can read: / know

might even be a traitor somewhere. We can't talk

voice is unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I