Tangled

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. O

“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

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99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

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.”

Lisa snorts, but there’s a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “Fake it till you make it, right?”

steeling myself for another day of

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in Westwood

wincing as she stretches out her legs. “But let’s

knock reverberates through the apartment, and 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

impassive. “There’s nothing in my life

blush creeps up her cheeks. Well, well. What do we have here? But before I can

grounds is mercifully short, but not short enough to avoid the dread pooling in my stomach. Jericho. Another day of his disapproval and disdain. I’m really starting to

waiting for us, his scarred face set

scowl. “You’re

antimist aring at him “We’ll make

Ava Lile in

we bring donuts tomorrow? All you can eat, if we can just take a little break

to play games? Fine. Run another mile. Both

back a groan, shooting Lisa a glare. She shrugs, unrepentant, and takes off at

Early mornings, aching muscles, and a trainer who seems to hate us. But as much as I

know I need this. Need to be stronger, faster,

myself. For

grit my teeth and keep running, pushing through the pain.

Lactic acid (something I’ve learned about in recent days) scorches my muscles, a deep, throbbing ache that pulses with each

Ava Life in Westwood (IV)

face flushed crimson from

cuts through the haze of exhaustion, his tone brooking no

argument.

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ

body. “Sorry, Jericho. My legs have officially died. I’m going to have to pass. on the sit–ups.”

his scarred face twisting into a sneer. “Well, aren’t you two being real

a silent acknowledgment that we’ve pushed our luck too far. Jericho’s patience, it seems,

narrowing to icy slits.

choose.”

heart sinks, a leaden weight in my chest. Neither option appeals, not with my body

the alternative–incurring Jericho’s

Life in Westwood

far worse. He likes coming up with

I force the words past my

her expression grim. “Practice,” she echoes,

razor’s edge, sharp and unforgiving. “Good