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, still

brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon

Just protect it, Ava! Don’t let him break the skin there, no matter

chuckles darkly, his grip loosening as

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into my neck again, lips

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

out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. “What is that

in a strangled laugh. “Must be the pancakes I had

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

by my ear, embedding itself in the vampire’s 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

vampire staggers back, his eyes wide with

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A Shocking Finale

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

Teddy is there, grabbing my arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the

not taking his

him off.”

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

1. in.

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

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

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A Shocking

eyes stare

the sky, his muzzle slack.

stands over him, lips curled in

smile.

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

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

my mind. Use his strength against

stalks closer, his gaze raking over me with a mix

and amusement.

want to play, little wolf?” he taunts, circling me slowly. “I promise I’ll make it