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 sneeze.

slam another drawer shut. “We didn’t buy any

17:30 *

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

fa

wolves around. Scented stuff

the girls are always taking bubble baths with scented candles.

my eyes. “You watch too much TV. It’s going to rot your brain.”

is just fine.

sometimes…

under the sink. Jackpot. I pull out a

out with her nose for a quick sniff, sneezing again.

I set the

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

hasn’t been gone long, though.

I ask,

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Ava Searching for a Candlo

from his presence.

since realizing that no other person can make me feel what Lucas does–it’s like I’m weak to the fated pull between

put up walls at

the current situation, I’d probably

have

the 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 when I do

feel like shit when I realize

How much I’ve pushed

away.

if she’d rather

through mine as he shuts the door behind him, cutting

for

Kellan, but I wasn’t sure how you would handle being here alone.”

been just fine–because I was busy hunting down a candle to

is. I don’t like looking around and knowing that Lisa isn’t here. “But I’ll be fine, Lucas.

“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

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

course I’m scared. I’m terrified.

went from feeling safe and thinking Lucas and Kellan were worrywarts, to my best friend being kidnapped

678

Av Soarching for

by a vampire.

supernatural

that.

so closed off from