Tangled

192

192

192 Ava: Mom's Legacy (V)

The hospital is eerily quiet, our steps echoing through the halls. Visiting hours are long over, and night shift reigns.

Vanessa is unfazed by the creepy quality of the place at a late hour, but I jump when the elevator dings, signalling its arrival in front of

1. us.

"You okay?" she asks, concern knitting her brows.

Selene-who's finally out from beneath my bed, though she refuses to talk about why she avoided me for the rest of the day- leans against my leg in silent comfort. "It's just so quiet. I'm not used to hospitals without people bustling around."

There's a giant machine coming down the hall in our direction, cleaning the floor with whatever algorithm powers its movement.

I always wondered how hospitals kept their floors so clean. I guess everything's automated these days.

Vanessa nudges me onto the elevator, pressing the button for my mom's floor before we've all even made it in.

Four bodyguards flank us. Massive overkill, considering that there isn't much we're expecting to happen on this visit.

Still, Lucas-and Jericho-are taking no chances on my safety.

Marcus, at least, is getting a break, and a new guy seems to be the one to shadow me for the night. He's a little short, but his eyes are black and intense, and I wouldn't want to be found in an alley with him in the dark.

•

10:27

log Ave Mom's Legacy (V)

He smells like death, Selene says. To me, such words are atrocious, like I should avoid the person. To her? She speaks as though she

admires him.

And that's a good thing?

Selene's ears flick toward me, and I can feel her side-eye even without her eyes moving. He is a capable guard. This is a good thing. Right. I guess that's true.

edge," Vanessa murmurs, looking straight forward as the elevator numbers change from

I've been avoiding thinking about my mom, or her wolf. Avoidance

are really, really hard to

step heavy with dread. Selene presses close to my side, her warmth a small comfort in the sterile hallway. After a few turns, I realize that nothing seems

the last, and yet it feels as though we're going in

move her?" I ask, confusion

at me, a strange smile playing on her lips. "They

we enter the room. Two of our guards take up positions outside, whil the other

suffocating.

silence. Vanessa makes her way

bags hanging beside the bed, her movements practiced

eyes drawn to the frail figure beneath the sheets. The sight of her steals my breath. It's only been a

looks so much

not long for

taking its toll," Vanessa murmurs, her voice tinged with something I can't

resignation.

I've always associated with her. But when they land on me, they sharpen, a glare that

voice thin and brittle.

a physical

nothing.

you be here?" She struggles to sit up, her arms trembling with the effort, before finally giving up. The vitriol in her eyes never fades, though. "To gloat? To see me wither away?" "I'm not here

10:27

317

Mom's

vile, coming out of

much that even the sound of her cough is

yet you're

impossibly tiny vial filled with clear liquid. "We're about to give

much as I'm trying not to flinch at the words she throws my way,

against my hand keeps me grounded. Don't let her bait you, she

room like a cornered animal. She scurries out, leaving an unsettling silence in her wake, broken only by the beeping machines Questions burn on my tongue, but I swallow them back. Now's not the time to

liquid into the syringe, Selene's voice whispers

hollow comfort, but, I'll take what

block out the vitriol spilling from her lips. Her features, once soft and

Ava: Mom's Legacy

It's hard

laughter was infectious. She'd pull me into her lap, tickling me until I