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

the riot, Todd's mother, the vampire attack, and all the little truths Vanessa has managed to open my eyes to... I don't think

it

He sighs, running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all young pups make mistakes. It's part of

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

a few times, but I

corner 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 he even had

day, old and cantankerous, yelling at innocent

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

assessment comes as a

I feel embarrassed by how strong I thought

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

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 like I've already softened up." Jericho's eyebrows raise a fraction. "Are you

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

mean by that?"

a little time for me to realize he's inspecting everything, his nostrils flaring as he

"Of what?"

at me, his face stern. "Explain what happened. Leave nothing

everything to his grizzled face is somehow easier than I thought it

it's because it never changes,

nods and asks questions when he has

with Sister Miriam, he stares at the ceiling in thought, one booted foot

my gut's

an ally than

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

snap down from the 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 must be crystal clear, because he barks out a laugh. "Even vampires have their own politics. They're deeper and murkier than

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

slips out before I

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

our toes."