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 me. Knowing

if he doesn't want to see

Fuck.

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

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

It doesn't work.

clothes I was just wearing-they're still

few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find

leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left

13

275 Ava: Visitors

Instead, there's a constant replay in my mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes.

as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My

at the door startles me from my restless attempt

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

practically flying across the room and into her

solitude of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence a lifeline I cling

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on

eyes. "Sorry, I just...

face is grim as she asks, "How are you holding

voice barely

eyes dart to the side before meeting mine

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief

pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it

watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere. We can't

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