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

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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.

make her

drawer shut. “We didn’t buy any

17:30 *

ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

Searching fa

wolves around. Scented stuff

the girls are always taking bubble baths

eyes. “You watch too much

just fine.

sometimes…

the cabinet under the sink. Jackpot. I pull out a dusty lavender candle. “Finally.”

sniff, sneezing

door startles us both, and I set the candle aside. I’ll have to call for Sister Miriam

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

gone long, though.

I ask, as my

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Ava Searching for

from his presence.

that no other person can make me feel what Lucas does–it’s like I’m

put up

wasn’t for the current situation, I’d probably throw myself at him shamelessly.

have loved that.

morose 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 his eyes light up

feel like shit when I realize how little

out to him. How much I’ve pushed

away.

Selene says, sounding as if she’d rather

shuts the door behind him, cutting us off

Ava Searching for a Candio

Kellan, but I wasn’t sure how

hunting down a candle to do something behind his

Lisa isn’t here. “But I’ll be fine, Lucas. Really. You have enough on your plate, and I’d rather have you looking

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 be. But I don’t feel right leaving you here without her. I can stay for a little bit.”

take care of myself, but the words

scared. I’m

and Kellan were worrywarts, to my best

678

Av Soarching for

by a vampire.

living as a supernatural doesn’t prepare you

that.

closed off from society, it’s like they