Tangled

183

183

1. 183 Ava: Jericho's Acceptance

Since neither shifter seems very interested in talking, I sit with only my thoughts for company.

Even Selene is silent in my head, though she rests her chin on my leg, her eyes deceptively closed.

She's not asleep, but still dealing with whatever demons are inside of her right now.

Both guards tense as Selene's ears flick around.

Someone's coming, she says, lifting her head to stare at the door. When both guards relax after that distracted look from them linking with someone, she does too, despite sniffing at the air. Jericho, she says, as the door opens and his grizzled head pokes into the room.

Jericho glances around, looking at both guards with clear contempt, before nodding to me. "Girl," he says gruffly.

in

My lips twitch into a faint smile, an unexpected warmth blooming

my chest at his informal address. At least one thing hasn't changed. He still treats me the same, even after everything that's happened.

"Wait outside," Jericho orders the two ill-at-

ease shifters, jerking his head toward the door. They hesitate for a moment, exchanging an uncertain look, but a single raised eyebrow from Jericho has them scurrying out of the room. The door closes with a soft click, and Jerich

Jes

Acceptanés

back to me. "How're you doing? Feeling okay?"

I open my mouth, ready to assure him that I'm fine, but the words lodge in my throat. Am

and all the little truths Vanessa has managed to open

it doesn't seem right,

running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all young pups make

term catches me off guard. I haven't been called that since

few times, but I don't really remember

of Jericho's mouth. "You're still young, a baby in my eyes. I've been around long enough to see countless pups stumble and fall. Done it myself, in fact." "Yourself?" It's hard to imagine him, a grizzled old man of little praise and a lot of torture, making mistakes

hard to imagine he even had

head, he just appeared in this world one day, old and cantankerous, yelling at innocent out-of-shape

to manage your expectations," Jericho continues, his gaze intense. "But I like the look in your eyes now. You

comes as

by

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

really need to go back to training" I mutter, rubbing Selene's head. She's already lowered her head and closed her eyes again, leaving me to Jericho's presence alone. "I feel

But I don't have the energy to rise to his bait. "What do

mean by that?"

nothing but a curt grunt, he instead takes the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time for me to realize

"Of what?"

vampire." Turning, he gazes at me, his face stern. "Explain what

face is somehow easier than I thought

it never

asks questions when he has

stares at the

my gut's telling me this vampire's

ally than

of my

acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she has a pla The doubt on my face

their blood. They don't have the sense of pack that we do. It's all power and control in their

about vampires?" The question slips out before I can

these young pups, that's for damn sure. They've grown up in a time of peace, never had to fight for their lives against those

our toes."