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.

a part of him wanting to trust

doesn't want to see me for the rest

Fuck.

for me, delivered express mail with cash on

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 the

raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas staring at

It doesn't work.

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

brain

me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to

13

275 Ava: Visitors

come. Instead, there's a constant replay in my mind, of every moment

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

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

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across the room

realized how desperately I needed human contact until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on

she murmurs, rubbing soothing

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

face is grim as she asks, "How

voice barely above

before meeting mine

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

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

notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it

Of course. We're being watched, listened to. There might

she asks, "Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I heard