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.

can't feel it, there's a part of him wanting to trust me. Knowing I'm

to see me for

Fuck.

he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now

second shower in hours,

angry red, as if I can wash away

It doesn't work.

water runs out. Dressing in the clothes I

brain and maybe wake up and

them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find a position

13

275 Ava: Visitors

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 our

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

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

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

instant, practically flying across the room and into her

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

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on

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

grim as she asks,

admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How

side 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 to see him

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

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

crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I