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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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.

unsure how to process any of this. Kellan watches me, clearly expecting more

a vampire around here?" The question slips out before

can stop it.

mouth falling open slightly. "A

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i5 Ava Margot's society

would a vampire make

he stares at me, obviously remembering that it just

at Selene, who meets my gaze with

security breach at

The assumption is that they can find any random

Kellan feels that

her voice a soft whisper in my

I've changed my

coloring his features. "Are you sure? I thought you were eager to get

Lisa."

of heart. "I just think I should stay a bit longer. See if I can find out anything else

sigh. "Alright. I'll let Vanessa know." "Thanks." I offer

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if debating whether to say more, then shakes his head. "I'll

walks out, leaving me alone with Selene and my racing thoughts. I sink down onto the bed, rubbing a hand over my

this, Selene remarks, hopping up

can already picture

something's going on here, Selene. We can't just leave. Margot was talking about vampires and Renard. There's

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

absently, my mind still spinning

secret alliance between vampires

seems a little

be more to

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

said

M's

a key, but being informed only

its lock

am I supposed to do with this

to her voice. Whatever it is, it's big enough to rattle a woman

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

immediate and terse.

What do you

come up. I can't explain over text. I