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.

feel it, there's a part

see me

Fuck.

the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express

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

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

It doesn't work.

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

reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all been

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

13

275 Ava: Visitors

matter 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 in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of

to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes burn with

me from my restless attempt at

gentle voice

I'm on my

flying across the room and

moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me,

she murmurs, rubbing soothing

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

as she

Not great," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How much do you

side before meeting

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief to see him up

She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can read: /

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

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