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,

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

it, Ava! Don’t let him break the

chuckles darkly, his

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my neck again, lips

I gigi, stngely giddy, before I

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

“Must be the pancakes I had for

the kitten has claws.” Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my

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,

vampire staggers back, his eyes wide

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a knife, the blade slick with his blood. He

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

taking his eyes off the seething creature before

him off.”

Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a guttural roar, shifting as

1. in.

her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn’t respond. Panic claws at my chest.

heart seizes in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his head twisted at

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eyes stare

the sky, his muzzle slack.

over him, lips curled in

smile.

his chin. “Did you really

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

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

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

and amusement.

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