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 my eyes to... I

complaining about it doesn't seem

sighs, running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all

guard. I haven't been called that since

few times, but I don't really

stumble and fall. Done

he even had a

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

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

comes

I feel embarrassed by how strong I thought I

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

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.

But I don't have the energy to rise to his

mean by that?"

he instead takes the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time for me to realize he's inspecting everything, his nostrils flaring

"Of what?"

his face stern. "Explain what happened.

his grizzled face is somehow easier than

it never changes, never shows its

nods and asks questions when he

Miriam, he stares at the ceiling

as it sounds, girl, my gut's telling me

ally than an

edge of my bed. "Why?

vampire acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she

is no loyalty in their blood. They don't have the sense of pack that we do. It's

about vampires?" The question slips out before I can stop myself.

face splits into a grin. "More than 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 bloodsuckers." He leans

our toes."