Tangled

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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?"

with cold brown eyes, regards

hurt tonight," I manage to say, my voice The second shifter grabs his

would normally tell me to stand up for myself and not let them treat

feels

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LIM ANG PHuman Vel

the silence. I'm only quiet

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

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

guard elbows him sharply in the ribs, hissing under his breath. "Stop it before you

tall guard isn't deterred. He leans against the wall, a sneer twisting his features. "She's

air from my lungs. I know I'm not well-liked

the vampires were only there

119 Ave Sorpice Vist

his chin in my

but before I can voice them, both guards suddenly collapse to the ground,

leaping into my throat as a figure materializes out of thin air. Sister Miriam. She bends down, picking up the

from the tall guard's limp fingers. Taking a long drag, she regards the unconscious man with a look of

sound, even as a small, vindictive part of me whispers that he

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

to see past the nose on your face. Ava, you'll be pleased to hear that

way that almost makes her look human. "Never you

170 AweSurprise Visi

Miriam still throws me off kilter,

to feel about her.

"How did

her glossy black pump at the lighter that fell to the floor. "I had