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.

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

want to see me for the rest of the

Fuck.

he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with

It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me

skin is raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the

It doesn't work.

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

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

to discover as I flop from

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

legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes burn with

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

Vanessa's gentle voice

I'm on my

across the room

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

she murmurs, rubbing soothing

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

face is grim as she asks, "How are

my voice barely above a whisper. "How much

eyes dart to the side before

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief

scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can

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

as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of