Tangled

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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."

her gaze sweeping

dangerous for pack wolves to enter the

trust your protection alone? Why

are driven by pleasure. Inherently selfish creatures." Kellan's

Jericho for a long, heavy moment. "I remember your

his face

too young, they can't control themselves. They make for great friends, being so close to humanity still. But that lack of control

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Ava: Embracing

desperate to know more about what transpired

furrows with concern, but he

taking advantage of the awkward silence. "What can

be done? I have done all this without any payment from the girl. And 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, only to be treated like

stare at her with suspicion, but guilt crawls in

gut.

harbor more and more suspicion against her. Even now, when I call her

trust her.

a good

incredulous stare from Kellan. Jericho only watches me with a measuring gaze. "Truly. I do appreciate everything you've done for

toward Kellan. "But Ava must learn to

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becomes. For her and everyone

my gut. I had already resolved to stop being so indecisive and make hard decisions in order to move forward; now, at the slightest sign of trouble, I'm

This cannot go on.

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

assets."

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

most in this room. I'm not sure how she compares to Jericho or

Vester, who ranks above any of

has chosen the two most suitable and strongest guards in my

now, more assured. This is what I remember of the vampires. They are not inherently evil, and can