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 for the rest of

Fuck.

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

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 skin. Steam fills

angry red, as if I can wash away the memory

It doesn't work.

clothes I was just wearing-they're still

what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and

leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back,

13

275 Ava: Visitors

moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of our history

my legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels

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

gentle voice

I'm on my

practically flying across the room

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

she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on my

eyes. "Sorry, I

face is grim as she

I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

the side before meeting

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

rises slightly as she says, "I'm so

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

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

is unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out