Chapter 211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack

There's a simple text on my phone, from an unknown number.

[UNKNOWN: Come to Dakota Sanctuary. We have a place for you. Now that you've unlocked your power, you're a danger to everyone around you.]

"Is everything okay?"

Marcus' eagle eyes must have noticed the blood draining from my face.

I don't want to lie to him, but I don't know how much he should know about the situation.

Then again, the man's my bodyguard.

How can he effectively guard me if he doesn't know what's going on?

Tell Lucas, Selene says, sounding grim.

I will. "This text. Probably the same as the unknown call from before." Handing Marcus my phone, I watch as his face zones out to inform Kellan or Jericho of the situation. Or both of them. Probably both.

My gaze flicks to the book, but the words that had appeared moments ago are gone, leaving only those illegible runes once again. The cryptic message lingers in my mind, unsettling in its implications.

I don't like this, Ava, Selene says, her voice laced with concern. It feels like we're being herded into something.

The thought of being manipulated, of being led down a path I didn't choose, brings nothing but unease.

What are our choices right now? I ask, hating the tremor in my mental voice. If my power really is a danger to everyone around me...

I trail off, not wanting to finish that thought. The idea that I can hurt the people I care about, that my mere presence could put them at risk, is a heavy weight on my chest.

I've already hurt so many people.

But leaving isn't an option.

So what the fuck am I supposed to do?

It feels like I'm being forced into making a bad decision. There has to be another way, right? Like Vanessa said—I was always thinking in black and white. So, now I need to find gray. Or orange. Or whatever other color it could possibly be.

Somehow.

new development. Can he really keep me safe from my own power? Can I keep him

city is an unknown, Selene says. We need to talk to

the only lead we have is Sister Miriam, and Lucas doesn't

her, either—but I don't think

a concern, Selene admits, though I can hear the reluctance in her

Her concern mirrors mine.

to rely on, we were ready to

people we care about warning us,

After the vampire attacks?

She's learned caution.

So have I.

my attention. "Kellan and Jericho are on their way," he says, handing

Kellan and Jericho will know what

do your work for you, Ava. You have to do

nothing

in the past

successfully found freedom in Cedarwood, didn't

Did I?

it's been a niggling

Did I find freedom?

it the first stage of someone's

I can tell

laws of the world don't apply. Where vampires and other creatures roam unchecked.

And Lisa's already there.

been there

I could

have the training, and I'm… what, some sort of exploding time

me dizzy with the force of my indecision

my family. A bizarre thing to think in a moment like this, but even I have to admit that Jessa was never one to panic. Phoenix, either. And

Then there's me.

Worries. Uncertainty. I can't even figure out how to mend my relationship with a pack without getting

how much damage I had done until she'd pointed it

how much damage they've done to you,

little relief, easing the pressure in my chest.

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