Tangled

144 Ava: Searching for a Candle

144 Ava: Searching for a Candle

It takes a little more effort than I expected to convince Dr. Beaumont to discharge me home, but after

promising up and down to let Vanessa visit twice a day for bloodwork and vitals, I finally get my way.

Lucas treats me like a fragile vase on the way to the apartment, worrying over leaving me in Lisa’s place alone. He’s not thrilled that I refuse to go to the alpha lodge in the wake of the vampire attack, and it feels like the entire apartment building is filled with wolf shifters in suits, glowering at everyone who passes by.

But I still count it as a win.

I can’t believe two healthy adult women in their twenties don’t have a single candle in their apartment. Selene noses open a cabinet to sniff inside, before clicking her nails across the kitchen to another one. Nothing here.

As she checks the lower cabinets, I shove my way through our everything drawer, only coming up with a small lighter. Helpful, but only half of what I need.

I even check the pantry, but there’s no waxy pillar to

17:39 C

184 Asa Searching for a Candle

be found.

Going behind Selene, I double check where she’s already looked, ignoring her half–offended snort when I come up as empty as she did.

I told you, there are no candles. My nose works quicker and better than your eyes.

We’ve already checked Lisa’s room and mine. Not a single candle to be had.

How are we out of candles? At the bare minimum, we should have some handy in case the electricity ever goes out.

I stalk to the bathroom, flinging open drawers. “Where

the hell are the candles?”

Selene opens the linen cabinet with a deft paw, shoving her head inside to sniff.

It’s all towels, of course.

And shampoo.

And soap.

that make her sneeze.

drawer shut. “We didn’t

17:30 *

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

Searching fa a Candio

the wolves around. Scented stuff bothers

taken. But on TV, the girls are always taking

roll my eyes. “You watch too much TV. It’s going to

is just fine. Although I question

sometimes…

the cabinet under the sink.

her nose for a quick sniff,

and I set the candle aside. I’ll have to call for Sister Miriam

shoved in his pockets and brows furrowed. Who else would make it past

hasn’t been gone

ask, as my heart races

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Ava Searching for a Candlo

from his presence.

dancing with Teddy, since realizing that no other person can make me feel what Lucas does–it’s like

put

current situation, I’d probably throw myself

would have loved

face, slack in death, and Lisa’s absence, I reach for Lucas‘ hand and pull him inside, not missing

shit when I realize how

How much I’ve pushed

away.

if she’d rather be murdered than admit

he shuts

Searching for

I wasn’t sure how you would handle being

hunting down

like looking around and knowing that Lisa isn’t here. “But I’ll

protect you, but I can at least be here so you’re not alone. I won’t drag you

my mouth to argue, to insist that I can take care of myself, but

scared.

Lucas and Kellan were worrywarts, to my

678

for

by a vampire.

as a supernatural doesn’t prepare

that.

so closed off from society, it’s like