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.

there's a part of him wanting to

he doesn't want to see me

Fuck.

express mail with cash

hot to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin. Steam

as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas

It doesn't work.

hot water runs out. Dressing in the clothes I was just wearing-they're still clean. -I flop onto

hours to reset my brain and

spots on the pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find a position

13

275 Ava: Visitors

tightly I screw 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 him

to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours.

me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can respond,

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

across the room and

of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence a lifeline

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing

at my eyes. "Sorry, I just... it's been a rough

she asks, "How are you

my voice barely above a whisper. "How much do

to the side before

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

Her voice rises slightly as she says,

my brow until she pulls a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns

course. We're being watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere. We can't talk

unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I heard rumors flying around