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.

***

walk resembles the wobbling of

it to the pack lands as twilight hits. The entire place

No lights on.

No people.

of life at

to a large field deep in the forest, filled with people. Some are in wolf form. A few are naked. Others are

the only ones to drive; everyone else used

see so many of them turn in

Kellan hadn't wanted to bring

Attending

insisted she

makes this air thick, she whispers, slinking

never seen her with such insecure body language. She usually struts about with confidence, tail high and head erect... But I

the same way.

Like I don't belong.

Filled with shame.

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

the silence, save for the occasional mourning keen. There are no words to be said. No

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

as we make our way to the back of the crowd. His hand rests on the small of my back, guiding me with gentle pressure as he points or tugs 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, marked by countless scars, can't hide the

is somber, a

until it's hard

hit with the price of my willfulness, of my blind

17

of thresereaths are

because of

Every single one

bur it bleeds for she dead for the familles left behind.

but I blink them back. I have to right to cry, not when my actions have caused so much pain. Not when I've been so focused on my

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 his mouth. Tim sorry I whisper, my voice barely audible

of the mourners

down at me,

not thinking about how my choices would affect everyone

stares at me, anguish clear in his eyes. His face.

It's not your fault. Ava. You didn't cause this.

our land:

my heart. I recognize the

been at that party, those