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.

forward as the elevator numbers

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

No. But habits are really, really hard

to my side, her

and yet it feels as though we're

her?" I ask,

strange smile playing on her

cryptic response does little to ease my apprehension as we enter the room. Two of our guards take up positions outside, whil the other two follow us in their presence both reassuring and 102 Ava

suffocating.

room is dim, the steady beep of machines filling the silence. Vanessa makes her

IV bags hanging beside the bed,

to the frail figure beneath

looks so much smaller, her

long for

Vanessa murmurs, her voice tinged with something

resignation.

the fire I've always associated with her. But when they land on me, they sharpen, a glare that pins me in place. "You must have

voice thin and brittle.

me like a physical blow, but I

nothing.

sit up, her arms trembling with the effort, before finally giving up. The vitriol in her eyes never

10:27

317

Mom's

sound is vile, coming out of

even the sound

you're

with clear liquid. "We're about to give you something for your agitation." "I wouldn't be agitated if you would

I'm trying not to flinch at the words

keeps me grounded. Don't let

scurries out, leaving an unsettling silence in her wake, broken only by the beeping machines Questions burn on

the clear liquid into the syringe, Selene's voice whispers through my mind,

but, I'll take what

the vitriol spilling

Mom's Legacy

twisted with loathing. It's hard to reconcile

the mother I remember from my earliest years. Back then, her smile could light up a room, and her laughter was infectious. She'd pull me into her lap, tickling me until I was breathles The memory rises unbidden, a bitersweet