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

because they’d never be able to keep up with the demand. For all I know, it probably reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don’t need wrinkle cream. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

with Selene’s reproachful

of just how tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I

as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn my

Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I

Ava’s Absence (IV)

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

called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can’t even imagine how

out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too

I miss Ava.

be connected, a

lying in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world

the halls, see them in

Ava’s Absence (IV)

It’s a political nightmare, even I

Jericho 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 any threat.

ducks to their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred

dress quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion these past few weeks, a comforting presence

it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their

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

around as I wish, but I’m

Always.

around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes bloodshot

though I already know

“Nothing yet. But

come back to us.”

my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ava’s face.

sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes

doesn’t. She hasn’t for three fucking

the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more

lean back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment.