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

18.10

1/6

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.

just great, I grouse in my head,

to dislodge the vampire’s chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon ‘bite me‘ sign

Ava! Don’t let

vampire chuckles darkly, his grip loosening

18.10

2/6

again, lips

and I gigi, stngely giddy, before I realize it’s the lack

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

strangled laugh. “Must be the pancakes I had for

kitten has claws.” Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my shirt. “Shall we see

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

vampire staggers back, his eyes

18 10

A Shocking Finale

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

is there, grabbing my arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as

friend and run,” Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the

him off.”

moving, launching himself at

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 here, away from the danger.

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

18 10

4/0

Shocking Finale

stare sightle.

the sky, his muzzle slack.

lips curled in a cruel

smile.

from his chin. “Did you really think you

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

in my mind. Use his strength against him. Go for the weak points–eyes,

myself than to her. The vampire stalks closer, his

and amusement.

circling me slowly. “I promise