Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
“Stay quiet. Steve is in a mood.”
Okay. He’s not Steve.
So who the hell is this kid?
I’m more curious than ever as we step into the room. What kind of operation is this? And why would Lucas and Kellan be involved with a human child?
What’s so interesting? Selene’s voice touches my mind, grumpy and petulant. She’s still upset about being left behind, but Kellan was very firm about pet allergies.
I’m not sure yet. The room is an office, with a large wooden desk dominating the space. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with anything but books. Instead, there are action figures mixed with strange artifacts. Behind the desk sits a girl.
There’s no way around it. This isn’t a woman, or even a young woman.
She looks to be maybe thirteen, with a head that’s halfshaved and long, bright pink hair on the other side of it. She has what looks like a cartoon pony temporary tattoo on her cheek, and Mardi Gras necklaces over a simple white shirt. A lot of plastic necklaces, in purple and gold.
“Why the hell are you back?” she asks, with the attitude that goes with her age.
Kellan inclines his head. “Hello, Steve.”
Steve?
This is Steve?
I’d been expecting a man.
“We have a situation. This is Ava Grey, Lucas Westwood’s mate.”
Steve’s gaze snaps to me, and I feel like I’m being dissected under her intense scrutiny. The only thing that doesn’t surprise me about her is the gum bubble that she snaps. “Ava. Yeah, I’ve heard about you.”
Somehow intimidated by this strange child, I glance toward Kellan beside me. He’s acting like this is a normal office visit, so I try to do the same, telling myself that she’s some sort of professional and not a neighborhood kid. “What exactly have you heard?”
Her nose wrinkles. “Many things. Some true, some not. But that’s not important right now.” Grabbing a pen, she jabs it toward the chairs in front of her desk. “Sit down. Why are you here?”
Kellan and I exchange a glance before taking our seats.
“We received a phone call,” he begins, his tone grave. “A mechanical voice, threatening Ava’s friend Lisa’s life if Ava doesn’t go to the city.”
Steve’s brows draw together as she stares at me, and I realize that there are several black balls pierced into her eyebrows. Who would do that to a minor? It makes me wonder if the temporary tattoo is actually temporary. “The city? Which one?”
“We aren’t positive,” I admit, my stomach twisting. “The voice didn’t specify. But it’s probably the Unregistered city.”
“Which one?”
“The one Blackwood’s been associating with.” Kellan speaks up again. “And there’s more. Her wolf couldn’t understand what she was hearing. It’s like whatever voice changer they used affects wolves.”
Steve looks at me, with enormous eyes and a tiny face. For a second, it’s almost like her entire body flickers.
Once I blink, the effect is gone.
Steve taps her pen against her lips as the kid from the reception desk leans in to whisper something in her car. I can’t make out the words, but whatever he says makes Steve’s eyebrows shoot up @
She nods slow; her gaze flicking back to me with renewed intensity
Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I glance at Kellan. What I want is reassurance, but instead I notice the tense set of his jaw, the new wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, and a slight tie in his cheek.
It’s a subtle tell, but one I recognize. He’s on edge.
And that’s when it hits me. Kellan may be willing to work with these people, but that doesn’t mean he trusts them. It doesn’t mean they’re on our side.
Who are these strange, unsettling children?
I swallow hard, my mouth gone dry. Kellan’s tension is contagious, seeping into my own muscles, coiling them tight.
What’s going on, Ava?
Selene’s mental voice is too soft, probably from the distance between us.
Things are weird here, Selene.
I don’t feel like we’re in danger, but there’s definitely something that leaves me unsettled, with chills rushing down my back and arms.
Her worry carries through the bond between us. Be careful, Ava,
Straightening in my chair, I take a deep breath. Then another. If Kellan brought me here, there’s a reason for it. Lucas trusts him. I do, too.
My attention snaps back to Steve as she asks me a question.
“How long have you been in contact with the Fae, Ava?”
“Fae?”
Thrown offbalance by her bizarre question, I turn to Kellan, whose jaw tightens even further, then back to Steve.
The pinkhaired girl leans forward, elbows propped on the desk as she peers into my eyes with unsettling intensity. A wave of dizziness washes over me, and I fight the urge to retch.
“I’ve never had any contact with the Fae,” I manage, averting my gaze. The nausea subsides almost immediately.
Steve’s expression remains skeptical. “Only Fae magic could interfere with a wolf’s hearing like that.”
Glancing back, the nausea returns at eye contact, and I look away again. “I swear, I’ve never interacted with any Fae.”
After a long moment, Steve sits back. “Alright, I’ll take your denial at face value. For now.”
Kellan clears his throat. “Can you look into the call? Find out where it came from?”
Steve shrugs, her demeanor nonchalant. “I can try, but no guarantees.”
Kellan extends his hand towards me, and I blink, realizing belatedly that he wants my phone. After fumbling in my pocket, I retrieve it and place it into his palm, watching as he passes it to Steve.
She arches an eyebrow.
“I don’t need the actual phone to check the call,” she says, her tone almost amused.
Heat rises to my cheeks as embarrassment mingles with the lingering nausea. Once prompted, I mumble my phone number, watching as Steve’s fingers fly across the keyboard. The room falls silent save for the clacking of keys.
Minutes crawl by, and my skin itches from waiting.
Shifting to sit more comfortably on the chair, my head twinges, a dull ache settling behind my eyes.
“Got it,” Steve announces, shattering the silence. “The call came from the general area of Dakota Sanctuary”
Kellan and I exchange a confused glance, but Steve continues before we can question her.
“Your lot prefers ‘Unregistered city! I believe.
The name sends a chill down my spine. Dakota Sanctuary. It sounds almost mystical, a far cry from the ominous reputation of the Unregistered city.
“You’re sure?” Kellan asks, leaning forward.
Steve nods. “As sure as I can be. It’s hard, though. That area is a dead zone for most technology to access. Intentionally so.”
“Thank you” I say to Steve, my gratitude genuine despite my unease. “For your help”
She waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t. I have a reputation to maintain”
A bark of laughter escapes Kellan, and even I manage a weak smile. In this world of wolves and magic, it seems even children have images to uphold.
We take our leave, stepping out into the harsh glare of daylight. The warehouse seems even more derelict after the bright ambience of the basement office.
“Why did you bring us here?” I ask Kellan as he slides into the driver’s seat of our SUV,