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.

my cheek, unsure how to process any of this. Kellan watches me,

vampire around here?" The question slips out before

can stop it.

eyes widen, his mouth falling open slightly. "A

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i5 Ava Margot's society

vampire make it onto

stares at me, obviously remembering that it just happened a few days ago in

glance at Selene, who meets my gaze

at

on their senses. The assumption is that they can find

Kellan feels

soft whisper in my mind. Something's not right

subtly, trusting her instincts. "Actually, Kellan, I've changed my

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

Lisa."

"I just think I should stay a bit longer. See

like he wants to argue, his mouth opening and closing a few times. But then he simply nods, accepting my decision with a sigh. "Alright. I'll let Vanessa know." "Thanks." I offer him a small smile, grateful that he's not pushing the issue. "And thanks for handling...

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more, then shakes

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

to like this,

know I can

There's definitely a link.

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

my mind still spinning

secret alliance between vampires and

seems a little too

to be

more questions I have. Whatever the secret is, am I

she said

M's

like being handed a key, but being informed

its

the hell am I supposed

shiver runs through me as I recall the terror in her eyes, the desperate edge to her voice. Whatever it is, it's big enough to rattle a

I pull out my phone and send Lucas a quick text, letting him know about my change of plans. His

immediate and terse.

do you

I can't explain over text. I