Tangled

111 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

LISA

Three fucking weeks.

No matter how many times I count, it’s been three fucking weeks.

The calendar on my wall mocks me, today’s date staring me in the face from any particular point of my

kitchen.

Selene whines when I nearly step on her paw for the third time this morning. “Sorry, girl. Give me a second, and we’ll go see her.”

I’m drenched in sweat. Jericho hasn’t blinked a single eyelash over Ava being in the hospital, and we’ve all settled into a new kind of normal.

It’s not normal at all, but it’s life now. At least until Ava

wakes up again.

I’m stronger. Fastér, though nothing compared to these shifters who surround me. I’m learning some basic self–defense, and Selene has helped with the hands–on training to evade and defend against wolf

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111 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

attacks.

I have bruises and wounds everywhere, and a few of them have even gotten infected, but Healer Vanessa is a godsend who always has some magical cream on her somewhere. Antibacterial, antifungal, prevents scarring, and smells divine. I have no idea why they

in the human markets.

Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don’t need wrinkle cream. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

into the shower, with Selene’s

against my back, a blistering reminder of just how tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I want to cry. I

even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to

while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has every right to

Ava’s Absence (IV)

things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel

for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I

and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this

I miss Ava.

be here with me. Selene’s finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun

lying in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors are already

in the halls, see them in the sidelong glances thrown my way.

Lisa: Ava’s

a political nightmare, even I can see that.

says there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend myself against

their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best friend. That makes

leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s

sleep. The guards nod at me as I

busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me

but I’m always followed by

Always.

is in his usual spot by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes

though I

his head. “Nothing yet. But she’s strong.

back

other side of the

and any moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about how we

She hasn’t for three fucking weeks.

at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more and more lately, like she’s trying to protect her.

lean back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I’m so tired, so fucking tired of all of this.