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

riot, Todd's mother, the vampire attack, and all the little truths Vanessa has managed to open

it doesn't

his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all young pups make mistakes. It's part

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

a few times, but I don't

"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

he even had

just appeared in this world one day, old and cantankerous, yelling

like the look in your eyes now. You seem like

His assessment comes

by how

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

mutter, rubbing Selene's head. She's already lowered her head and closed her eyes again, leaving

to rise to his bait.

mean by that?"

the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time for

"Of what?"

his face stern. "Explain what happened. Leave

everything to his grizzled face is somehow easier than

because it never changes, never

asks questions when

he stares at the ceiling in thought, one booted foot tapping against the floor

as it sounds, girl, my

ally than an

scoot a little further off the edge of my bed. "Why? Lucas doesn't

"no vampire acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she has a pla The doubt on my face must be crystal clear, because he barks out a laugh. "Even vampires have their own politics. They're deeper and murkier than

in their blood. They don't have the sense of pack

you know about vampires?" The question slips out before I can

into a grin. "More than these young pups, that's for damn sure. They've grown up

our toes."