Tangled

176

176

176 Ava: Attending the Rites

Odd? How so?

Selene's soft whine catches Kellan's attention. "We'll be there soon. Will she be okay?"

It doesn't seem that he realizes the dog is not actually a dog. "She's

fine."

I thought I had all my memory, but when I try to think back, everything is fuzzy. Even my own name doesn't come to mind.

My head aches at the thought of trying to unravel that. What kind of memories? From becoming a dog?

Not exactly. My past life. My identity. Many things... Things I thought I remembered. Vanessa's words sound familiar, but I cannot access the memories. It feels important. That just sounds... Yeah. She's right. It's odd.

How long have they been missing?

Silence.

Then, I don't know. Forever.

Leaning down, I rub at Selene's head. It'll be okay. I'm sure we'll figure it out. But we both know my promise is hollow. I have no way of keeping it.

Selene whines again, resting her head on her paws as she stays beneath my chair. Ava, am I a detriment to you?

Of course not. My denial is swift and from the heart. But... I think

176 Ava Altending the Rites

we might make bad decisions together.

Her mood plummets; I can feel it in the back of my head. Like Lucas and his wolf, as children.

Scratching behind her ears in gentle consolation, my heart is

buoyed when she leans against my touch. You have given me much strength by being here. We'll figure it out together. Together, she confirms, but that insecure edge to her words is still

there.

***

have my knees so weak, my walk resembles the wobbling of

as twilight

No lights on.

No people.

of life

forest, filled with people.

only ones to drive; everyone

I see so many of them turn

leg; Kellan

Ava Attending the

I'd insisted she

air thick, she whispers, slinking out of the car with her

such insecure body language. She usually struts about with confidence,

the same way.

Like I don't belong.

Filled with shame.

pyres, and my heart sinks. Lucas hadn't mentioned that three more people had

save for the occasional mourning keen. There are

a crowd of bodies surrounding the pyres, the entire clearing bathed

me in different directions as he leads m We finally settle on a place near Jericho, who stares grimly ahead, his jaw clenched. Even his weathered face,

entire mood is somber, a heaviness pressing

until it's hard to

the weight of so much loss, I'm hit with the price of

17

thresereaths are on

because of unselfish

Every single one

for she dead for the familles left behind. For the pack that will never be

to right to cry, not when my actions have caused so much pain. Not when I've been so focused on my own desires

see the cracks in his armor. The warr his eyes shine with unsited tears. The tightness around his

of the mourners

down at me, his brow furrowed For

everything For being so selfish. For not thinking about how my choices would affect

His face. In how his lips curve down

Ava. You didn't cause this. We were too arrogant in

our land:

my heart. I

that party,