Tangled

Unshift 318

Unshift 318

318 Ava: Waiting For Him to Wake

Out, Selene says simply.

The journey into his woll's mind was long. It was a turbulent sea, every inch taken a victory.

Getting out is much easier.

Between one instant and the next, there's nothing more than a distinct yank from Selene's mind, and it's as though I'm sucked through a vortex and thrown back into my own head. There's enough force that 1 pitch forward and almost hit my face against the ground before my hands fly up to save myself.

"Fuck"

My body's soaked. There's only a small light on in the kitchen; the rest of the house is dark, the windows showing evidence of nightfall.

I'm a used dishrag, flattened to the floor, struggling to push myself to my knees and check on

Lucas.

Grimoire's hands grab onto my arms, pulling me up. He's huge again, his flames higher than normal, his eyes red instead of silver.

Where his hands touch me is odd; pressure without temperature. Not cold. Not hot.

My legs wobble as I struggle to my feet, grateful for Grimoire's steady grip on my arms. The room spins for a moment before settling, and I blink away the disorientation. My gaze lands on Lucas, sprawled across the couch.

He's asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But something's off. Sweat glistens on his skin, running in rivulets down his face and soaking into his hair. His hands, resting on the couch, tremble visibly. My stomach knots. "Is he okay?"

Grimoire's grip on my arms tightens slightly. "His wolf is attacking the barrier.

I turn to

want?" I ask,

casting dancing shadows across the room. "The wolf is already feral. Completely focused on reuniting with its other half. The moment

Selene-" I start, turning to

Her eyes are closed, nose tucked into her tail. She looks peaceful, but something feels terribly

my head

at mu elect Virlowire Lean't feel

13

For Him to

Ava," Grimoire interrupts, his voice firm but gentle. "Selene is fine.

breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "But why can't I feel her?

She's there. He gestures toward Lucas. "We have to

do except sit by

carly hours of morning, there's a knock on the

I ignore it.

Lucas' sweating form.

Lucas isn't coming

going to lose

in pain, sweat beading on his forehead. My heart aches to reach out and comfort him, but Grimoire made it clear: Physical contact might cause more

Kellan's voice breaks through my haze of worry. "Ava?

talk"

tear my eyes away from Lucas to see Kellan and Lisa enter. Kellan's usually composed demeanor is frayed at the edges, his hair mussed and dark circles under his eyes. "The pack is going wild," he says, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I've spent the last. several hours breaking up

drifts to Lucas, concern etching deeper

get his memories back," I reply, my voice flat

silent, his eyes widening slightly. After a moment, he speaks again,

It might have been better to have you here. I take a deep breath, forcing

slowly. "Sister Miriam explained some things to