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.

***

so weak, my walk resembles

pack lands as twilight hits. The entire place

No lights on.

No people.

signs of

to a large field deep in the forest, filled with

everyone else used

see so many of

my leg; Kellan hadn't wanted to

Ava Attending

I'd insisted

air thick, she whispers, slinking

language. She usually struts about with confidence, tail high and

the same way.

Like I don't belong.

Filled with shame.

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

the occasional mourning keen. There are no words to

a crowd of bodies surrounding the pyres, the entire clearing bathed in the darkening edge

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, marked by countless scars, can't hide the sorrow

a

it's hard

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

17

How many of thresereaths are

because of

Every single one

aches for Lisa capped in the churches of a madman bur it bleeds for she dead for the familles left behind. For the pack that will never

have caused so much pain. Not when I've been so focused on my own

face is a mask of stoucisa, but I can see the cracks in his armor. The warr his eyes shine with unsited tears. The tightness around

of the mourners

at me, his brow furrowed For

For being so selfish. For not thinking about how my

his eyes. His

away, staring ahead again. It's not your fault. Ava. You didn't cause this. We were

our land:

heart. I

that party, those vampires wouldn't