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

okay? After the riot, Todd's mother, the vampire attack, and all the little truths Vanessa has

complaining about it doesn't

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

term catches me off guard. I

times, but I don't really remember

a baby in my eyes. I've been around long enough to see countless pups stumble and fall. Done it myself, in fact." "Yourself?"

hard to imagine he

in this world one day, old and cantankerous, yelling at innocent out-of-shape wolf shifters until

I like the look in your eyes

comes as

I feel embarrassed by how strong

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

her eyes again, leaving me to Jericho's presence alone. "I

to rise to his bait. "What do

mean by that?"

strides. It takes a little time for me to realize he's inspecting everything,

"Of what?"

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

is somehow

never changes, never

nods and asks questions when he

vague connection with Sister Miriam, he stares at the ceiling in thought, one booted foot tapping against the floor

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

ally

of my bed.

the tooth. But." and his eyes snap down from the ceiling to meet with mine, "no vampire acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she has

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

question slips out before I can

weathered 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

our toes."