Tangled

165

165

165 Ava: Margot's Secrets

A soft knock on the door pulls me out of my hazy morning thoughts as I finish packing my small suitcase. Vanessa must be early to escort me back to the airport, That's not Vanessa. Selene's hackles rise, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Something's wrong.

I freeze, my hand hovering over the zipper. "What is it?"

Not sure. Her nose twitches. But it doesn't smell right.

Uneasy, I debate ignoring the knock, pretending I'm not here. It's a stupid thought. Any wolf can scent me in here.

I crack open the door, surprised to find Margot Mitchell standing there, her face pinched and pale.

"Ava, thank the Moon." She pushes into the room without invitation, her eyes darting around as if searching for hidden threats. "We

need to talk."

"Margot, what-" My words come out in a shout over the audacity of her intrusion.

"The vampire. He's here." She grips my shoulders, her fingers. digging in. "You have to keep him safe. You have to be loyal. You can't break the code."

"What secret? What vampire? What are you talking about?" Yanking out of her grip, I take a few steps back. "Why are you

here?"

"You have to keep the secret," she hisses, as loud footsteps come

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105 Ava Margot's increts

Aw

thudding, like people are running. Don't sell your loyalty, defect. Only Renard's promise keeps us safe. Without it, we're all doomed. "What promi-"

"If you tell them, we all dic, Ava. You don't want our lives on your hands, do you?"

My bodyguards burst into the room, their faces hard and unreadable. In a dizzying burst of movement and noise, they seize Margot by the arms, yanking her away from me. She yelps, thrashing against their iro I gape after them, my mind reeling. What the hell just happened?

"Ava, I'm so sorry about that." Kellan's voice snaps me back to the present. He stands in the doorway, his brow furrowed with concern. "Margot is one of the housekeepers for the lodge. She was here for maid c

it."

"It's fine." The words feel hollow, even to my own ears. Margot's frantic warnings echo in my head, refusing to be dismissed. You can't spill the secret. You have to be loyal.

this. Kellan watches me, clearly expecting more of a response. I scramble

around here?" The question

can stop it.

widen, his mouth falling

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i5 Ava Margot's society

a vampire make

he stares at me, obviously remembering that it just happened

who meets

security breach at Westwood,

their senses. The assumption is that they can find any random

Kellan feels

stay, she suggests, her voice a soft whisper in my

"Actually, Kellan, I've changed my mind.

his features. "Are you sure? I thought you were eager to get back to Lucas and the search

Lisa."

should stay a bit longer. See if I can find out anything else that might help

simply nods, accepting my decision with a sigh. "Alright. I'll let Vanessa know." "Thanks." I offer him a small smile, grateful

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whether to say more, then shakes his head. "I'll be downstairs if you

with Selene and my racing thoughts. I sink down onto the bed, rubbing a hand

isn't going to like this,

can

the clenched jaw, the barely restrained frustration. "But something's going on here, Selene. We can't just leave. Margot was talking about vampires and Renard. There's definitely a link. As if Sister Miriam

She nuzzles into my side, offering her silent support. We'll

her fur absently, my mind still spinning with questions.

secret alliance between vampires and

seems a

to be more

have. Whatever the secret is, am I supposed to hide it from Lucas

said was clear

M's

key, but being informed only

its

I supposed to do

runs through me as I recall the terror in her eyes, the desperate edge to her

sigh, I pull out my phone and send Lucas a quick text, letting him know about

immediate and terse.

you mean

Something's come up. I can't explain