Tangled

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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 with open disdain.

harsh tone catches me off guard, and I flinch as if he'd struck me. Heat rushes to my cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and 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

pretty sure this is where Selene would normally tell me to stand up for myself and

me, she feels the

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LIM ANG PHuman Vel

in the silence.

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

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

him sharply in the ribs, hissing under his breath. "Stop

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

like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I know I'm

vampires were only there for

119 Ave Sorpice Vist

chin in

she know something like that? Questions swirl in my mind, but before I can voice them, both guards

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

cigarette from the tall guard's limp fingers. Taking a long drag, she regards the

as a small, vindictive

to me, an apologetic smile on her face. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance, my dear. But I come bearing a warning." Selene is on her feet now, hackles raised as she positions herself between

her cigarette ashes in Selene's direction. "Never able to see past the nose on your face. Ava, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mad Prince hasn't been able to do much to you "A merry

eyes sparkle for a moment in a way that almost makes her look human. "Never you mind. It keeps him away from the city, and will for some time.

170 AweSurprise Visi

me off

to feel about

growls. "How did you enter this

the lighter that fell to the floor. "I had a