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

and all the little truths Vanessa has managed to open my eyes to... I don't think

complaining about it doesn't

sense my inner turmoil. He sighs, running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all

pup?" The term catches me off guard. I haven't

few times, but I don't really remember

smile tugs at the 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

he even had a

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

Jericho continues, his gaze intense. "But I like the look in your eyes now. You seem like you've gotten

comes

feel embarrassed by how strong

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

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

don't have the energy to rise to his

mean by that?"

grunt, 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 as he scen "Nothing," he

"Of what?"

he gazes at me, his face stern. "Explain what happened. Leave

face is somehow easier than I thought it

it never changes, never

just nods and asks questions when he

Sister Miriam, he stares at the ceiling in thought,

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

an ally than an

of my bed. "Why? Lucas doesn't trust her

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

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

slips out before

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

our toes."