Chapter 99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

A plastic thud startles me awake. I crack open an eye to see Lisa's alarm clock skitter across the floor, her arm still extended from the throw.

"I can't do this anymore," she moans into her pillow. "Everything hurts. I think my eyelashes are sore."

I laugh, but it turns into a groan as I slide out of bed, my muscles screaming in protest. Four days of Jericho's training from hell, and my body still hasn't adjusted. I'm not sure it ever will.

"Do you think the bodyguards would murder Jericho if we asked nicely?" Lisa's voice is muffled, her face still buried in her pillow.

"Stop dreaming." I limp to the bathroom, each step an agony. "And get ready. You know he'll just make it worse if we're late."

Lisa's groan follows me as I shut the door, a smile tugging at my lips despite the pain. As much as I hate the early mornings and the constant ache in my muscles, there's a part of me that relishes the challenge. Each day I push myself further, each day I grow stronger.

Selene would be proud.

The thought sobers me as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Four days, and still no sign of her. I'm starting to wonder if she'll ever come back. If I'll ever be whole again.

I splash water on my face, the cold shock chasing away the melancholy thoughts. I can't afford to dwell on what I've lost. Not when I have so much to gain.

By the time I emerge from the bathroom, Lisa is up and dressed, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She shoots me a baleful look as she tugs on her sneakers.

"I hate you for being a morning person."

"I'm not a morning person," I protest, grabbing my water bottle. "I'm just better at pretending than you are."

there's a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Fake it till you

that." I take a deep breath, steeling myself for

wincing as she stretches out her

Lisa and I groan in unison. We don't have to check. Of course it's Kellan. Here to pick us up, just

with exasperation. "Don't you have

in my life

at Lisa as a blush creeps up her cheeks. Well, well. What do we have here? But before I can needle her about it,

the training grounds is mercifully short, but not short enough to avoid the dread pooling in my stomach. Jericho. Another day of his disapproval and

he's waiting for us, his scarred face set in

How about we bring

games?

shooting Lisa a glare. She shrugs, unrepentant, and takes off at a jog. I follow, my legs protesting with every

is my life now. Early mornings, aching muscles, and a trainer who seems to hate us. But as much as I want to complain, I know I need this.

myself.

I grit my teeth and keep running, pushing through the pain. One foot in

learned about in recent days) scorches my muscles, a deep, throbbing ache that pulses with each labored breath. I'm convinced

heaves, her face flushed crimson

Now." Jericho's command cuts through the

a pitiful whimper. "You've got to

head, wincing as the movement sends a fresh wave of agony through my body. "Sorry, Jericho. My legs have officially died. I'm going to have

twisting into a sneer. "Well, aren't you two being real fucking

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