Tangled

179

179

179 Ava: Surprise Visit

Selene lies curled in a patch of moonlight, her head resting on her tail, eyes closed. Her presence usually brings me comfort, but even she can't soothe the anxiety that grips me now.

The room feels more like a prison than a sanctuary, the air thick with unspoken animosity. I glance out the window again, searching the darkness for any sign of movement, any indication that Lucas and the oth Nothing, of course.

They're miles away.

Their howls fill the air, raising the hair on my arms and the back of my neck.

It takes time, Selene murmurs, her eyes still closed as she basks in the moonlight.

She looks as relaxed as can be, but the edge in her mental voice tells me otherwise.

The knot in my stomach refuses to unravel. It's the same feeling I had before the attack on the party, a sense of impending doom that crawls beneath my skin and sets my nerves on edge.

The two shifters standing guard don't help matters. They're strangers to me, with unfamiliar faces and rigid stances. The tension in the room is palpable. I can't bring myself to attempt conversation, not when ev

1. me.

Minutes drag by, and nothing changes.

No updates.

Only the occasional cough from the guard with short hair and a scat under his left eye.

By the unfocused look that comes over their faces here and there, I know they're listening in to the hunt. They know something.

My thoughts keep circling back to Lucas and the others out there. hunting the vampire. The not knowing is torture, my imagination conjuring up increasingly horrific scenarios with each passing second.

Unable to bear it any longer, I turn to the shifters, my words tight with barely restrained panic. "Any updates on the vampire?"

taller of the two, a broad-shouldered man with cold brown eyes, regards me

indignation. "I'm worried people will get hurt tonight," I manage to say, my voice The second shifter grabs his companion's arm, shaking his head in silent warning. They both turn away from me, their

up for myself and not let them treat me like this,

she feels the treatment

26

LIM ANG PHuman Vel

the silence.

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

and I pace the room, starting with a small square, then expanding my field of march. The guards step back, giving me space, though they share a look that doesn't feel very com The acrid scent of cigarette smoke wafts through the air as the tall guard lights up, filling the room with a haze. My nose wrinkles in distaste. "Could you please not smoke in here?" I ask, trying to keep my tone He looks at me with disdain, taking a long drag before blowing the. smoke

ribs, hissing under his breath. "Stop

the wall, a sneer twisting his features. "She's not even our alpha's mate. She was rejected.

knocking the air from my lungs. I know I'm not

the vampires were only there for her,"

119 Ave Sorpice Vist

chin

mind, but before I can voice them, both guards suddenly

out of thin air. Sister Miriam.

fingers. Taking a long drag, she regards the unconscious man with a look of disdain before delivering

a small, vindictive part of me whispers that

But I come bearing a warning." Selene is on her feet now, hackles raised as she positions herself between "Oh, stop that, you

past the nose on your face. Ava, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mad Prince hasn't been able

way that almost makes her look human. "Never you mind. It keeps him away from the

170 AweSurprise Visi

Sister Miriam still throws me off

feel about her. Friend?

did you

the lighter that fell to the floor. "I had a link, wolf. Don't be so suspicious.