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

little truths Vanessa has managed to open my

it doesn't

a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl,

guard. I haven't been called that since I

times, but I don't really

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

he even

one day, old and cantankerous, yelling at innocent

expectations," Jericho continues, his gaze intense. "But I like

comes as a

fact, I feel embarrassed by how strong I thought

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

the energy to rise to his bait. "What

mean by that?"

pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time

"Of what?"

Turning, he gazes at me, his

to his grizzled face is somehow easier than

because it never changes, never shows its

nods and asks questions when he has

the ceiling in thought, one booted foot

sounds, girl, my gut's

an ally than an

further off the edge of my bed. "Why? Lucas doesn't trust

ceiling to meet with mine, "no vampire acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she has a pla The doubt on my face

the sense of

The question slips out before I can stop myself.

damn sure. They've grown up in a time of peace, never had to fight for their

our toes."