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,

brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon ‘bite

Don’t let him

darkly, his grip loosening as he

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my neck again, lips brushing

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

flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. “What

a strangled laugh. “Must be the pancakes I

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

both in a grotesque crimson spray. The coppery tang assaults my nose, but there’s an underlying sweetness

vampire staggers back, his eyes wide with shock

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Shocking Finale

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

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

grits out, not taking his eyes

him off.”

Teddy and reaching Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching

1. in.

name, but she doesn’t respond. Panic claws at my chest. I need to get her

whip my head around. My heart seizes in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the

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Ava A Shocking Finale (11)

stare sightle.

sky, his muzzle slack.

stands over him, lips curled in a cruel

smile.

he sneers, wiping blood from his chin.

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 fists, readying myself for a fight.

Use his strength against

her. The vampire stalks closer, his gaze raking

and amusement.

wolf?” he taunts, circling me slowly. “I promise I’ll make it worth your