Tangled

Unshift 217

Unshift 217

217 Ava: Embracing Change (1)

"Those attuned to you could feel it immediately." Sister Miriam looks me over with some curiosity. "Though I feel you won't explain how this change happened to be, it is both blessing and a curse to you, as you are right now."

There are so many questions rushing through my head, but I know she isn't going to answer them. She's too cryptic to explain how she knows what's going on with me, or what she wants from me. So I switch tactics.

"Someone's calling me. Texting me. Telling me to come to the city."

"Yes. He is reckless and wild in his old age, but it is a teacher. He's been waiting for quite some time, and is eager to meet a new student. They are quite rare these days." Her eyes flicker toward everyone else in the room. "Though he does hate your people."

That isn't the answer I expect, and it throws me off. "Are you sure? He did want me to come to the city, but he also sounded very..." my voice trails off, unsure of how to explain how menacing his words sound, without ever having threatened me to my face.

"Strange? Blunt? Sadistic?" Sister Miriam tosses words at me, seeming to be genuine in her desire to help.

"Doomsday, maybe? At first I thought he was one of the people who took Lisa."

"He, work with the likes of the Mad Prince?" Her lips curve in something like derision. "You should have no fear of that, little witch. You will be safe in his care. Access to your phone. Free reign

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217 Ava: Embracing Change (1)

of the city, with guards. You can even leave and see your alpha lover, if you so wish. We are not monsters there."

Her last words are shot toward Kellan and Jericho.

The old man looks thoughtful, but Kellan continues to scowl. "Pretty words, with no guarantees."

I sense only truth from the dhampir, Selene says, the most relaxed out of all of us. Even so, I can feel the wariness and caution emanating from her end of our bond.

"Can I bring my guards with me?" I wave a hand at them. "It would go a long way to assuring my safety in the city."

Miriam sighs, her gaze

too dangerous for pack wolves to enter the city,

"We're supposed to trust your protection alone? Why would a vampire even want to help

by pleasure. Inherently selfish creatures." Kellan's eyes narrow at Sister

regards Jericho for a long, heavy moment.

stiffens, his face

themselves. They make for great friends, being so close to humanity still. But that lack of control also makes them

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burn on my tongue, desperate to know more about what transpired between them. But Jericho's shock at Sister Miriam's knowledge keeps me

brow furrows with concern, but he doesn't

of the awkward silence. "What can you

no gratitude." Sister Miriam arches a brow. You should know that vampires value their time. A contract is required for every transaction, and yet Ava has been forced into nothing. I've been quite generous,

at her with

gut.

me, even as I harbor more and more suspicion against her. Even

trust her.

a

sorry," I say, meeting her eyes and straightening my spine at the incredulous stare from Kellan. Jericho only watches me with a measuring

your caution." Then she cuts her gaze toward Kellan. "But Ava must learn to wield her magic. The longer it

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For her and everyone around

us can you bring with you safely?" I ask, feeling the depths of responsibility stir within my gut. I had already resolved to stop being so indecisive and make hard decisions in order to move forward; now, at the

This cannot go on.

"Two. The girl and," she points at Marcus, "that one. Those two will be

assets."

look as though they want to say something, but are too

Vanessa's wolf is stronger than most in this room. I'm not sure how she compares to Jericho or

she's stronger than Vester, who ranks above

the two most suitable and strongest

I remember of the vampires. They