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.

he can't feel it, there's a part

see me

Fuck.

the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now it's my turn to wait and

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

scrub hard, until my skin is raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas staring at me like

It doesn't work.

the hot water runs out. Dressing in the clothes I

brain and maybe wake up

wet spots on the pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to

13

275 Ava: Visitors

how 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

Minutes stretch into what feels

the door startles me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can respond, the door creaks

gentle voice

I'm on my

practically flying across the room and into

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

she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on

"Sorry,

grim as she asks, "How are

I admit, my voice barely

dart to the side before meeting mine again.

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

to the front door, then to the windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a

until she pulls a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles

Of course. We're being watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere.

you break down crying