Tangled

138 Ava: A Shocking Finale (II)

138 Ava: A Shocking Finale (II)

“Such a naughty kitten,” the vampire mutters, scowling in a way that erases the beauty of his face.

The vampire’s grip tightens, crushing my throat as I thrash against him. My lungs scream for air. I claw at his hands, nails scraping uselessly against unyielding flesh. Panic floods my mind, blotting out rational thought.

Your training, Ava! Remember your training! Selene’s voice slices through my rising hysteria.

Right. Training. Jericho’s lessons flash through my oxygen–starved brain. I stop flailing and focus, letting my body go limp, conserving strength. The vampire smirks, misreading it as submission. His cold breath washes over my face as he leans in, nostrils flaring. He’s…sniffing me?

Revulsion churns my stomach as his nose skims along my jaw, down to the crook of my neck. He lingers there, inhaling deeply, a pleased rumble vibrating his

chest.

The scar, Ava! Don’t let him near it! Selene’s warning

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138 Ava. A Shocking Finale (II)

ricochets through my head.

can’t bite you there!

Fragmented memories resurface–Selene cautioning me about my scar during my heat, insisting I keep Clayton away from it. I hadn’t understood then. I’m not sure I do now. But her urgency propels me into action.

Gritting my teeth, I shove at the vampire’s face, fingernails gouging. He snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction and I suck in a desperate breath, spots dancing across my vision.

That scar is where your power leaks out. It’s like a drug to creatures who can sense it. It isn’t quite an aphrodisiac, but it can be, in the right circumstances, Selene explains rapidly.

that’s just great, I grouse in my head, still

Whose brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon ‘bite me‘

protect it, Ava! Don’t let him

vampire chuckles darkly, his

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again, lips brushing my

me and I gigi, stngely giddy, before I realize it’s the lack of Oxygen L

an enticing scent,” he murmurs against my skin, tongue flicking out to taste.

bubbles up, escaping in a strangled laugh. “Must

is a mixture of irritation and amusement. “So the kitten has claws.” Cool fingers ghost across

neck with a sickening squelch. Blood spurts from the wound, splattering us both in a grotesque crimson spray. The coppery tang assaults my nose, but there’s an underlying sweetness that makes my stomach heave. It’s cloying, like rotting fruit, and I gag on

staggers back, his

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Ava A Shocking Finale

flies to his neck, wrenching out the object lodged there. It’s a knife, the blade slick with his blood. He snarls,

as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the vampire, fists raised, body

Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off

him off.”

moving, launching himself at the

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gaze away, I scramble to Lisa’s side. She’s still unconscious, her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn’t respond. Panic claws at my chest. I need to get her out of here, away from

my chest. Teddy

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eyes stare

his muzzle slack.

vampire stands over him, lips curled

smile.

blood from his chin. “Did you really

as he steps over Teddy’s body, advancing on me with predatory grace. I scramble to my feet, positioning myself between him and Lisa. My hands shake, my breath coming in sharp gasps, but I clench my

Use his strength against him.

than to her. The vampire stalks closer, his gaze raking over me with a mix of

and amusement.

me slowly. “I promise I’ll make it worth your