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

to see me for the

Fuck.

bill for all the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on

skin, hot to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like

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

It doesn't work.

Dressing in the clothes I was just wearing-they're still

I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this

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

13

275 Ava: Visitors

of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in

side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes

soft knock at the door startles me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can respond, the door

Vanessa's gentle voice

I'm on my

in an instant, practically flying across the room

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

rubbing soothing circles on my

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

grim as she asks, "How are you holding

Not great," I admit, my voice barely

eyes dart to the side before

nod, holding my

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

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

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

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