Tangled

169

169

169 Ava: A Strange Meeting

Confusion flickers across the stranger's face for a moment before understanding dawns. "Ah, I see. If you saw someone just now, it was likely a manifestation of your own fears. A distraction, meant to throw off I stare at him, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. A manifestation of my fears? How is that even possible?

Selene pads forward, her nose twitching as she sniffs at the stranger's feet. To my shock, her hackles remain flat, her tail giving a tentative wag. She's never reacted this way to a potential threat before. He is not a danger to us, but he is not an ally, she tells me.

"What are you?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

The stranger tilts his head, studying me with those unsettling eyes. "I could ask the same of you. Why is a witch running with the Blackwood Pack?"

The word "witch" hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing the breath from my lungs.

The only ones to call me that are vampires.

Careful, Ava. Selene's warning echoes through my mind, even as she continues to sniff at the stranger's shoes.

The stranger glances at Selene, distaste crossing his face, but he allows her to sniff. Then he glances over my shoulder. "I'm afraid we'll have to continue this conversation another time. Once you

17:30

10 AW A Kuangs Meeting

have permission from my mother, that is."

"Your mother?" I echo, confusion and frustration warring within me. "What are you talking about?"

But the stranger is already backing away, melting into the shadows as if they were never there at all. I lunge forward, desperate for answers, but my hands close on empty air.

I hesitate, torn between the desire to chase after the mysterious stranger and the knowledge that I can't just go off running.

I've been kidnapped enough times that I really should have learned my lesson.

me in my tracks.

pounding feet reaches my ears just as Selene's warning registers. I whirl around to see Kellan bursting forth from the trees, his chest barely rising and falling despite the clear effort he's exerted to His eyes, sharp and wary, dart

voice is tight with concern as

in my mind. "I thought I

another deep inhale, his expression growing more perplexed

17:30

Ave A Stranjas

adrenaline still pumping through my veins. How could Kellan not detect the stranger's scent?

might be-leaves me unsettled. There

more attention. Living as the beta's daughter, I should know more. If I'd known how my life would turn out, I would have spent more time lingering during late-night discussions, instead of tuning

always better, I

I'm somehow supposed to piece together, I glance at Kellan, who's looking

I have more information, it's probably best to keep

it," I say instead, shaking my head.

doesn't leave his eyes. It's a little

that can pull the wool over his eyes, but that's something that can only be changed

if that changes one

It will.

is a

"Let's get you back to

silently beside me. I can feel her gaze on me, knowing and expectant, but I keep my own eyes

if you stay inside. We'll be adding more guards.

face him. "Actually, I was hoping to see Vanessa. I want to visit my mother

across Kellan's face, followed by a frown. "Are you

hard, the memory of my mother's venomous words still stinging. But there's a nagging feeling in my gut, urging me to try again. Especially now, with the appearance of this mysterious stranger.

her," I say, injecting

17:39

I

studies me for a long moment before sighing. TI let

know."

It isn't consent.

here because of her. I