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.

grouse in my head,

the vampire’s chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to

let him break the skin there, no matter

chuckles darkly, his

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neck again, lips

I realize it’s the lack of Oxygen L ng me loopy.

murmurs against my skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. “What

escaping in a strangled laugh. “Must be

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

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 the scent, fighting the urge to vomit as I’m dropped

his eyes wide with

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Ava A Shocking Finale (11)

lodged there. It’s a knife, the blade slick with his blood. He snarls, fan bared, as he tosses it aside.

my arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the vampire, fists

your friend and run,” Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature before us. “I’ll hold

him off.”

hesitate, torn between helping Teddy and reaching Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a guttural roar, shifting as

1. in.

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

around. My heart seizes in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his

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A Shocking

stare

sky, his

over him, lips curled in a cruel

smile.

sneers, wiping blood from his chin. “Did you really think you could

myself between him and Lisa. My hands shake, my breath coming in sharp gasps, but I clench my fists, readying myself for a

Use his strength against

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

and amusement.

little wolf?” he taunts, circling me slowly. “I promise