Unshift 211
Unshift 211
211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack
There's a simple text on my phone, from an unknown number.
[UNKNOWN: Come to Dakota Sanctuary. We have a place for you. Now that you've unlocked your power, you're a danger to everyone around you.]
"Is everything okay?"
Marcus' eagle eyes must have noticed the blood draining from my face.
I don't want to lie to him, but I don't know how much he should
know about the situation.
Then again, the man's my bodyguard.
How can he effectively guard me if he doesn't know what's going
on?
Tell Lucas, Selene says, sounding grim.
I will. "This text. Probably the same as the unknown call from before." Handing Marcus my phone, I watch as his face zones out to inform Kellan or Jericho of the situation. Or both of them. Probably both. My gaze flicks to the book, but the words that had appeared moments ago are gone, leaving only those illegible runes once again. The cryptic message lingers in my mind, unsettling in its implications.
I don't like this, Ava, Selene says, her voice laced with concern. It feels like we're being herded into something.
17:38
211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack
The thought of being manipulated, of being led down a path I didn't choose, brings nothing but unease
What are our choices right now? I ask, hating the tremor in my mental voice. If my power really is a danger to everyone around
me...
I trail off, not wanting to finish that thought. The idea that I can hurt the people I care about, that my mere presence could put them at risk, is a heavy weight on my chest.
I've already hurt so many people.
But leaving isn't an option.
So what the fuck am I supposed to do?
It feels like I'm being forced into making a bad decision. There has. to be another way, right? Like Vanessa said-I was always thinking in black and white. So, now I need to find gray. Or orange. Or whatever other color it could possibly be.
Somehow.
Lucas' face flashes through my mind, and I can already imagine his reaction to this new development. Can he really keep me safe from my own power? Can I keep him safe?
The Unregistered city is an unknown, Selene says. We need to talk
 someone we
 have is Sister Miriam, and Lucas
her.
 necessarily trust her, either-but I don't
17.38
2/7
 Trouble to the
 a concern, Selene admits, though I can hear the
Her concern mirrors mine.
 we had no one to rely on, we were ready to take so many risks. Selene wasn't as worried
 we care about warning us, time after time, about our
After the vampire attacks?
She's learned caution.
So have I.
 "Kellan and Jericho are on their way," he says, handing the
 quell the rising panic in my chest. Kellan and Jericho will
 do your work for you, Ava. You have to do it,
 nothing that comes
 in the past have led
 freedom in Cedarwood, didn't
Did I?
 it's been a
Did I find freedom?
 first stage of
317
 Trouble to the
 murmurs, but I can tell she's
 Where vampires and other creatures roam unchecked. The thought of venturing into such a
And Lisa's already there.
 been there for so
 could go. I
 I don't have the training, and I'm... what, some sort of exploding time bomb of magical
 keeps rushing in circles, making me dizzy
+17
 my family. A bizarre thing to think in a moment like this, but even I have to admit that Jessa was never one to panic. Phoenix, either. And my father? I don't think I've seen him at any level
Then there's me.
 Worries. Uncertainty. I can't even figure out how to mend my relationship with
Vanessa.
 damage I had done until she'd pointed it
 your family realizes how much damage
 They're nothing but either. Don't try
you,
flaws.
4/7
< 
 Trouble
 bring a little relief, easing the pressure
 look at my
 been trained to,
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