Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
It’s definitely magic of some sort.
Kellan runs a hand through his hair, his expression grim. “We need to tell Lucas. If Steve’s a Fae, she could be working with the vampires. I don’t know how much information she’s funneled their way.”
The idea of a Fae working with vampires is a new level of terrifying.
“We need to find out what she wants,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “Why she was helping us, what her endgame is. It’s possible she’s not working with them at all. Just because she isn’t a wolf, doesn’t mean she’s not an ally.”
Kellan looks doubtful, but I have a gut feeling that I’m right.
But where is she, and why is the building gone?
He pulls out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he sends a message to Lucas. I watch him, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to process everything that’s happened.
Steve, the quirky hacker who seemed like an ally, is a Fae. The building where we met her, where she helped us track down information on the vampires, has vanished into thin air. And now, we’re left with more questions than answers, and a growing sense of unease that threatens to swallow me whole.
Meanwhile, some strange person keeps insisting I need to enter the Unregistered city, domain of the vampires.
Where my family is supposedly hiding.
Everything is pointing at this city. Too neat. Too tidy. Selene’s voice in the back of my head is suspicious.
“Kellan, I think we need to contact Sister Min. I don’t know if I’ll be able to bring anyone with me, but I don’t think we can put it off any longer.”
This time, I’m not asking for permission. I’m back to demanding, and a part of me shrivels inside, wondering if I’m doing the right thing.
I went from willfully doing as I thought was right, to not doing anything at all, standing complacent as Lucas ordered me safe.
But we’ve made no progress. None
This can’t go on forever, and too much happening has to do with
“Selene went with you last time, didn’t she?
I nod.
“Was she touching you at the time?
Thinking back as hard as I can, I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I can’t remember”
Kellan nods. “I can’t leave Blackwood. Let’s get back to the alpha lodge. You can take your guards with you. Just make sure they’re all close when you call her.”
“Lucas won’t like it-“
“He doesn’t like when you run into danger without adequate protection. He never said you have to live like his subordinate.”
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Lucas doesn’t answer Kellan’s text, or my phone call.
Probably busy again with the Council.
Stretching, I test the range of motion in the lightweight tactical clothing Kellan provided. The fabric is breau..able, but I’m already sweating beneath the impactresistant layer in the shirt. A knife rests heavy on my belt, and the boots feel stiff, promising blisters if I have to run for my life. But of course the beta insisted, so here I am, trussed up like an operative minus the arsenal.
The bodyguards have all ditched their suits for similar getups, though several sport guns on their hips. I turn to Marcus, brow raised. “Why don’t I get a gun?”
He barely glances my way. “A gun in untrained hands is just asking for trouble.”
I purse my lips but concede his point with silence. Using it would require an instruction manual, and there’s no time for that in an emergency.
Still seems like something I should probably learn, considering that my physical prowess is much worse than the average shifter.
The door swings open and I blink in surprise as Vanessa strides in, kitted out like some special ops soldier. She catches my stare and explains, “Jericho updated me.”
Something in her gaze gives me pause. Is that pride? Whatever it is, I shift uncomfortably under the unexpected approval. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Vanessa’s lips quirk. “Lately, you’ve seemed paralyzed by indecision, scared to make the wrong move, I’m glad to see you’ve found your confidence again.”
A humorless laugh escapes me. Confidence? I’m trembling in my boots. Literally. “I’m not confident at all. I’m constantly secondguessing myself, wondering what the right call is.”
Vanessa steps closer, her voice low and intense. “Stop admitting that. Everyone needs their leaders to project confidence, even if it’s an act.”
Doubt claws at my mind, insidious whispers reminding me of all the ways I could fail. All the lives I’m risking with every choice. How can I possibly-
No. I cut off the spiral before it takes hold, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Fake it ’til you make it, right? I meet Vanessa’s gaze, hoping she can’t see the cracks in my facade.
“You’re right. No more wavering.” The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out anyway. “It’s time to act.”
Vanessa nods, something like satisfaction flickering across her face. “Well, we’ll be behind you, in case anything happens.” Holding out her hand, I notice that she’s holding the candle I asked for.
“Here.”
“Thanks.”
Marcus’s hands are everywhere, tugging at the straps and buckles of my gear, testing the fit with an intensity that borders on invasive. I squirm under his scrutiny, biting back a yelp when he yanks a strap too tight.
“Three boots are going to kill me grumble, flexing my toes against the rigid confines.
Marcus pauses, fixing me with a stare that can cut glass. “You dressing for a fashion show or a mission?”
Glancing away, I mutter under my breath, “It’s not about how they look. I just want my feet to survive?
He grunts, and I think it might be approval, but it’s hard to tell when he punctuates it with a smack to my back that nearly sends me stumbling. I shoot him a scowl, but he’s already tioning to two other bodyguards, more of the older wolves under Jericho’s authority.
“Ava, this is Liam and Adam. They’ll be coming with us. Remember, if I tell you to jump, you jump. Don’t stop to ask how high, and don’t argue.”
I nod, recognizing their faces from the constant rotation of suited figures that shadow my every move. It’s strange, finally putting names to the stoic expressions. “Got it. Nice to officially meet you.”
They incline their heads, professional to a fault, and I wonder if they’re as nervous as I am beneath their unflappable exteriors.
Probably not.
They’ve had a lifetime of these kinds of situations.
The door swings open, and Kellan strides in, his gaze sweeping over us in a silent inspection. I stand a little straighter, feeling like a soldier awaiting orders.
He comes to a stop in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Be careful out there, Ava.”
I force a grin, hoping it looks more confident than it feels. “Careful? Always. Besides, it’ll be weird not having you around. We spend way too much time together as it is.”
Kellan doesn’t laugh. If anything, his expression grows more serious. “I mean it, Ava. Be careful. Stay with your guards at all times.”
I’ll take care of you, Selene chimes in, slinking to my side. This time, I’m not leaving your side.
Sober beneath the weight of Kellan’s concern, I nod. “I will. Liam and Adam will think I’m a barnacle.”
He holds my gaze a moment longer, searching for something, before stepping back with a sharp nod. “Good. Make sure to keep your phone on you. Don’t hesitate to call for backup if anything goes wrong.”
He’s acting like we’re about to head into war. In his head, that’s probably true. Still, it’s hard not to feel like we’re overreacting to a trip to see Sister Miriam.
Better to be prepared than be caught pooping in the bushes.
Staring at Selene, I can’t even repeat her words out loud. Pooping in the bushes? Really? That’s what you went with?
Her mental shrug is unrepentant. Wolves don’t have the same hangups about bodily functions as humans do.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies rioting in my stomach. This is it. No more hiding, no more waiting for others to make the tough calls.
But still-
“If something goes wrong, what’s the plan?”
“We go in.” Kellan meets my eyes. “No matter the cost.”