Tangled

Unshift 299

Unshift 299

299 Ava: Lucas is Alone

Lucas watches us both, calm despite only hearing one half of our conversation.

Grabbing his hand, I give a gentle squeeze to show I'm still paying attention to his presence. "Do you know how?"

you!

Selene's idea is a tall order. It isn't like amnesia has some sort of cure.

The dhampir has an idea. We can talk to her about it.

Wow. I'd forgotten about Sister Miriam entirely. Between Lucas and now Selene's return...

My thoughts are interrupted when Selene suddenly darts out of her comfortable position to shove her nose into my chest, sniffing intensely.

Showing mild irritation, Lucas grabs her by the scuff and yanks her away. To my surprise, Selene merely slinks low in submission as her cars tilt in my direction, blue eyes hard and suspicious. What's that scent?

Slapping my hand over the new mate mark, right next to my crescent scar, I ask defensively, "What scent?"

Lucas sniffs at me. "You smell fine to me."

There's something new, she insists, pawing at my leg. What is it? What did you get into?

"I didn't get into-

The string near my magic tugs, and I pause. "Oh. Maybe it's that."

"What?" Lucas nuzzles into my neck, brushing his lips against the raw skin of my mate mark. "Is something wrong?

sense something I almost forgot

and I pause. This isn't a safe place to mention him. "I'll tell you both later." Where it's safe, I add silently to Selene, wishing Lucas could hear me. Wait. Shouldn't he be able to...? "When?" he asks, answering

I pause. "To the place I'm staying, I guess. Is there another place you'd

He shakes his head.

when they discharge you and

me now, Selene

me focus

whines and rubs her head

squeezes mine and he changes the subject.

should be home soon."

shared a sleeping space before, but we haven't necessarily cohabitated. Though, there's Lisa-so I guess

time

new-found apocalypse. As dire and terrible as it is, maybe it'll finally afford us both a little time to deepen our bond with each other. Silver linings and storm clouds,

pulling me close as I melt into his embrace. The warmth of his body and the steady thrum of his heartbeat bring me that clusive peace, strengthening

heat, content to just nuzzle into Lucas' arms like this without

The mark helps.

sense. Lucas' body seems to have lost its

by the insistent press of fur against my leg. I crack open. an eye to see Selene trying to wedge herself between us, her tail wagging

against her head, and I feel a wave of indignation through our bond. I am not some common canine, she

head. His hand. reaches down to scratch behind Selene's ears, and her eyes close in bliss despite her attempts to maintain her

murmurs, his voice soft and tinged with affection. "Selene's the only reason I've stayed sane in this

rush of warmth through me, and I feel Selene's joy and pride surge through our connection. Still, she maintains her air of nonchalance, as if

my fingers through Selene's fur, marveling at the complexity of our situation.

in my

I bet.

say softly, meaning every word. The thought of Lucas

thir atsella

kia mamarlan and his mankı malina mui haart saha

Ava: Lucas

of