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

shut. “We didn’t

17:30 *

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fa a

the wolves around. Scented stuff

girls are always taking bubble baths with scented

eyes. “You watch too much TV.

brain is just fine. Although I question

sometimes…

the sink. Jackpot.

her nose for a quick sniff, sneezing

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

it open, unsurprised to find Lucas standing there, hands shoved in his pockets and brows furrowed. Who else would make it past all the guards

gone

ask, as my heart

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for

from his presence.

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

I never put up

it wasn’t for the current situation, I’d probably throw myself

would have loved that.

thoughts that plague me at the thought of Teddy’s face, slack in death, and Lisa’s absence, I reach for Lucas‘ hand and pull him inside, not missing how

like shit when I realize

reached out to him. How much

away.

if she’d rather be murdered

gone.” Lucas‘ fingers slide through mine as he shuts the door behind him, cutting

Searching for a Candio

sure how you would handle being here alone.”

fine–because I was busy hunting down a candle to do something behind his back.

pokes at me. “It’s hard,” I agree, because it is. I don’t like looking around and knowing that Lisa isn’t here. “But I’ll be

my mate.” His jaw clenches. “I couldn’t be there to protect you, but I can at least be here so you’re not alone. I won’t drag you to the alpha lodge, if this is where you want to

that I can take care of myself, but the words die

course I’m scared. I’m terrified.

and thinking Lucas and Kellan were worrywarts, to my best friend

678

for a

by a vampire.

as a supernatural doesn’t

that.

off from society, it’s like they