Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Ava: Angry

Vanessa sighs. "I’m not familiar enough with vampires to give much advice here. We really need to work on our inter-species medical knowledge."

"It isn’t just vampires, though. Lisa didn’t like men being near her. That’s probably a trauma response, don’t you think?"

She pinches the bridge of her nose, and I realize her fingers seem swollen. The dark circles under her eyes are pronounced, and her dark hair—normally pulled back into a professional ponytail—is a mess. "Yes, I would assume so. I’m not a counselor, though. If it’s that bad, she’s going to need serious intervention with a professional." Her eyes dart toward me, as if underlining her suggestion.

She probably is. She’s suggested the same for me on several occasions, and I keep blowing her off.

Therapy, Selene muses.

They both need it.

Ignoring my ever-present voices, I watch Kellan instead. He’s standing by the bathroom door with his arms crossed, waiting for Lisa to come out. She’s been in there for at least half an hour, and the hot water should be depleted by now.

At least Lisa has Kellan by her side. Someone who’s kind and sweet and waits for her. Their relationship isn’t solid yet, and it’s clearly from Lisa holding back, but it isn’t fractured, either. Maybe I should schedule some girl time and talk to her. She never liked the idea of a fated mate connection forcing her hand, but she’s not as resistant as she once was...

My stomach twists. I’m sitting here wondering if I can convince her to mate bond with Kellan when she isn’t ready. You can’t just push a mate bond like that.

It’s not a bad idea, though, Selene pipes up. Having a properly cemented bond would probably weaken, if not destroy, any connection the vampire has with her. But her words are a little hesitant.

A mate bond won’t destroy a previously existing bond, but her ability to resist will be strengthened based on the strength of her partner, Grimoire lectures Selene in that pompous way of his. It is a good idea, but humans can be rather closed-minded to lifetime contracts.

What is this connection the Mad Prince still holds over Lisa? We’ve talked about her experience as a captive, but it isn’t like she went into extreme detail. Selene sensed nothing, and Sister Miriam never said anything, so we assumed she was free of his influence this entire time... "We were too complacent," I murmur.

She doesn’t smell as if she’s contracted, Selene points out. Whatever it is, it has to be temporary.

Scent means nothing.

"...more worried about her getting hurt. It seems to be some sort of compulsion, don’t you think?"

Vanessa’s words break through the noise of Selene and Grimoire’s conversation, and I blink. "Sorry, can you say that again?"

Vanessa clears her throat. "I’m worried about Lisa having another episode. Whatever happened out there seems like some sort of compulsion, and she might get hurt if we try to stop her again." Her gaze shifts to Kellan, who hasn’t moved from his post by the bathroom door. "Restricting her movements wouldn’t be good for her mental state, but we still need to consider options in case it happens again."

The air around Kellan darkens, his broad shoulders tensing as he stares at the front door. My stomach twists at his expression—I know that look. It’s the same one Lucas gets when he thinks I need protection.

"You’re not thinking of keeping her locked up, are you?"

"It would be easier if I could," Kellan growls, his words rough and hard. Vanessa sighs.

The bathroom door flies open with a bang. Lisa stands in a cloud of steam, dressed in an oversized shirt and sweatpants, her black hair dripping wet and eyes blazing. "I am not going to be caged again, damn it."

Her voice quivers with panic, and my heart breaks. I step forward, ready to defend her, but Vanessa beats me to it.

"No, no—I meant something like tranquilizers if another episode occurs." Vanessa’s voice stays calm and steady. "Nothing restrictive."

Lisa’s mouth opens, then closes. A flush creeps up her neck as her outrage deflates, replaced by obvious embarrassment at her outburst.

Kellan, on the other hand, just... grunts. Like a tranquilizer isn’t enough for him. The way his brooding stare lands on Lisa, I’m pretty sure he’s thinking about locking her in their cabin until the Mad Prince is dead. That’s absolutely the kind of reaction Lucas would have, and I can recognize that half-mad, overprotective stare immediately.

Lisa doesn’t seem to notice. "A tranquilizer? Like a gun?"

Vanessa shakes her head, a laugh escaping her. "No, nothing that dramatic. Just a regular injectable. Though I should warn you, it’ll probably hurt like hell."

"It is what it is." Lisa’s shoulders slump in resignation.

Kellan reaches out, yanking her against his chest in a swift movement. Lisa stiffens, her hands coming up as if to push him away—but then she just stares at his face for a long time. Something in his expression must change her mind, because she lets out a soft sigh and relaxes into him instead.

My eyes meet Vanessa’s. A small smile tugs at her lips, matching my own.

"So what have you figured out?" Lisa’s voice is muffled against Kellan’s shirt. "About what happened to me?"

The smile slips from my face. "We definitely think you’re under some kind of vampire compulsion. How much blood did he take from you?"

"Um." She wiggles a little against Kellan’s hold, as if he’s squeezing her too hard. His tense arms relax, and Lisa turns around until her back is against his chest, though she stays in his embrace.

It’s cute.

You’re okay, Selene says, her worry clear in her our bond.