Tangled

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256 Ava: The World Burns

Acarus holds up his hands. "Calm down, little witch. Your alpha is alive."

Alive.

What a weird way to put it.

Wouldn't someone normally say, your alpha is fine?

"What happened?" I ask, sitting back in the chair as I focus my gaze on Acarus.

"Great change. Rebellion. The end of days."

1 frown. "What do you mean, a great change?"

The air is heavy, making it hard to breathe. Or maybe it's just that my chest is tight.

Acarus leans forward, his eyes intense. "The supernatural communities have risen up against the limitations imposed by human laws. It's not just the wolf packs. Registered communities, unregistered cities- they're all involved. War is everywhere."

Marcus's brow furrows. "How widespread is this unrest?"

"It started here," Acarus explains, "but once the media caught wind of it, riots spread to large communities across the country. This anger has been simmering for a long time. Many feel the humans have chained us with their biased laws."

My heart races. “Just tell me what happened to Lucas, I demand, worry coloring my tone.

Acarus inclines his head, his expression softening slightly. "He's recovering in a hospital."

Relief and consternation flow.

Why? By who?

1. me. A hospital? Then that means he was injured. How?

"Westwood is now under the control of rogue supernaturals. And Blackwood... My apologies, Ava. Alpha Renard has retaken it."

Lucas has been defeated.

And my father's back in power.

The implications make my head spin.

tight with concern. "That doesn't explain why we haven't been able to contact anyone from

modern communication methods have been hijacked. It's impossible to contact people via phone. I'm not familiar with the technical terms, but it's some form of hacking. It's beyond even what humans are capable of. Probably the work of

to comprehend. "How is it even possible to take down an entire country's

is limited to most of this side of the country, Acarus clarifies. "That is as much as I understand. Beyond that, you would have to discuss with someone familiar with technology.

am not that person."

:00

a thought strikes me. "What about Clayton?

evident in his features.

presumption. "It's just... Clayton's been in Westwood and Blackwood

slowly. "I believe Alpha Shadowpine has returned to his pack, but I'm not certain. He pauses, his gaze intense. "Ava, I don't think you understand how much the world has changed.

means, Marcus and Vanessa tense up like colled springs. I can

a good idea to bring Ava outside right now, Marcus says, his voice low and firm. "We need more information first. We

them, his expression a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "There's an easier way to show her what I mean," he says, his golden eyes flickering between us. "Are you

untouched plates in front of Marcus and Vanessa, a pang of guilt hitting me as 1 realize they haven't even had a chance to take a bite. Then again, they don't trust Acarus not to poison them. Before I can say

Acarus's touch, and suddenly, the world I thought I knew shatters into a

the reporter's voice tight with barely contained panic as she describes the scene unfolding behind her. New York City, a place I've only seen in movies and postcards, has become a

So many bodies. The reporter's words wash over me, a torrent of horror I can

Smoke rises from burning buildings, casting an apocalyptic haze over the cityscape. People run through the streets, their faces masks

stops for a quick interview. They

Run.

Run for your lives.

scrolling headlines at the bottom of the screen hammer home the

Ava The

seeing:

ARMAGEDDON: SUPERNATURALS BETRAY HUMANITY

UPRISING: NO

100,000 IN NEW YORK

DEMANDS SENT TO WHITE

my eyes away from the nightmare playing out before me. I feel Marcus's hand on my shoulder, steadying

between humans and supernaturals

in the future? Humans will never trust us

I can feel myself dissociating from the moment, my feelings growing distant and dim as I watch the

reporter and the camera are running.

to anchors safe in a building somewhere, citing technical difficulties. Instead, we follow along a nauseating

down, someone

did they take down an

the camera still

I think so. Let me

silence as someone brushes dirt off the lens. We can see again, the reporter's face. illuminated against

sending dirt and debris everywhere. We're safe, but

The camera returns to a horrified anchor who speaks with