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

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

it, Ava! Don’t let him break the

his grip loosening

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into my neck again, lips

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

skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. “What is that delectable aroma, little

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

ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my shirt. “Shall we see what other secrets

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

vampire staggers back, his eyes wide

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

to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves

out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature before us. “I’ll

him off.”

moving, launching himself at the vampire

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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Ava A Shocking Finale

stare

his

over him, lips curled in a

smile.

chin. “Did

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

mind. Use his strength against him. Go for the

The vampire stalks closer, his gaze raking over me with a mix of

and amusement.

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