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 trust me. Knowing I'm

to see

Fuck.

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

hours, but

and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of

It doesn't work.

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

my brain

damp hair leaves wet 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

13

275 Ava: Visitors

of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion

side. Minutes stretch into

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

gentle

I'm on my

practically flying across the room

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

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on

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

face is grim as she asks, "How

my voice barely above a whisper. "How much do you

dart to the side before meeting

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

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

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

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

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