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.

part of him wanting to

want to see

Fuck.

like the bill for 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

hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin. Steam fills the

scrub hard, until my skin is raw and angry red, as if I

It doesn't work.

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

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

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

moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes

at the door startles me from my restless attempt

gentle

I'm on my

practically flying across

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

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I just...

grim as she asks, "How are

admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How

dart to the side before meeting mine

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

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

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

eyes widen. Of course. We're being watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere. We

break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway?