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.

to process any of this. Kellan watches me,

a vampire around here?" The

can stop it.

eyes widen, his mouth falling open slightly.

216

i5 Ava Margot's society

would a vampire make it onto

that it just happened a few days ago in

at Selene, who meets my gaze with

the security breach at Westwood, there's

is

Kellan feels

voice a soft whisper in my

subtly, trusting her instincts. "Actually, Kellan, I've changed my mind. I won't

you sure? I thought you were eager to get back to Lucas

Lisa."

not quite sure how to explain my sudden change of heart. "I just think I should stay a bit longer. See if I can find out anything else that might help us find her. Lucas has things in hand at Westwood. Maybe

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

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say more, then shakes his head.

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

this, Selene

I can already picture

Selene. We can't just leave. Margot was talking about vampires and Renard. There's definitely a link. As if Sister Miriam wasn't proof enough of his working with vampires-but she wasn't involved in the attack. "It might help us get

my side, offering her

stroke her fur absently, my mind still spinning with questions.

between vampires and wolves,

a

to be more

think over her words and try to break them down, the more questions I have. Whatever the secret is, am I supposed to hide it from Lucas and the others? Or am I supposed to

said was clear

M's

key, but being informed only of

which its

I supposed to do

the desperate edge to her voice. Whatever it is, it's big enough to rattle

send Lucas a quick text, letting him know about my change of plans. His

immediate and terse.

do you mean

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