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199 Ava: Magic

Magic, she whines pitifully, her eyes watering. So much magic. It’s overwhelming.

1 look from her to the book and back again, realization dawning.

Just what exactly did Mrs. Elkins give me?

Kneeling, I carefully pick the book back up, handling it with a new sense of reverence and caution. The symbol on the front seems to glint in the early morning light, almost as if it’s winking at me.

I glance at Selene, still huddled miserably in the corner. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to figure this out on my own.”

Agreed, she says nasally, pawing at her snout. But maybe… Let’s put that thing away for now, okay? Before it makes me sneeze my brain out through my nose.

The mental image makes me laugh, even as I close it, snapping the clasp closed with a firm click. “Don’t be so dramatic. Your brain is far too big to fit through your nostrils.”

You don’t know that. You’ve never seen my brain.

“And I hope I never do.” Standing, I move to the closet and carefully tuck the book onto the highest shelf. Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind. “There. Safe and sound and out of sneezing range.”

My hero, Selene drawls, finally uncurling from her corner. She still looks a bit bleary–eyed, but at least she no longer seems to be in imminent danger of sneezing herself inside out. So what now?

That’s the question, isn’t it? I lean against the closet door,

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199 Ava: Magic

worrying my lower lip between my teeth as I think.

My phone interrupts the morning with a ringing that’s a bit muffled. Startled, I glance at the bed–but it isn’t there.

Damn.

It’s probably Lucas.

Diving for the bed, I yank the comforter off the bed in a fabulous move that has it soaring through the air. No phone clatters to the ground, though.

Shoving my hand between the mattress and headboard, my fingers brush against smooth plastic. “Got it! Hello?”

I’m breathless as I answer the phone, not bothering to check the caller ID.

Strange silence greets me as I press the phone to my ear. “Lucas?” I try again, my brow furrowing when no response comes.

I pull the phone away, frowning at the screen. The phrase UNKNOWN CALLER blinks back at me, with no number at all.

Confused, I bring the phone back to my ear. “Hello?”

Still, no answer. But there’s something—a soft sound, like breathing, barely audible over the line.

Goosebumps prickle along the skin of my forearms as I strain to listen. Is someone there? Or did I just imagine it?

“Who is this?” I demand, a trickle of anger seeping into my voice. If this is some pervert getting their kicks by calling random girls, I swear I’ll-

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100 Ava: Magic

“Ava Grey?” A strangely mechanical voice cuts through my budding tirade, stopping me cold. It’s flat, emotionless. Inhuman.

My grip tightens on the phone, my knuckles bleaching white. “Yes,“” I say slowly, my heartbeat quickening in my chest. “Who is this?”

Who is that? Selene’s concerned voice brushes against my mind.

I shake my head slightly, not taking my eyes off the opposite wall. I have no idea. But something about this feels off. Wrong.

“We need to talk,” the voice says, ignoring my question. “It’s about Lisa Randall.”

Ice shoots through my veins, freezing me in place. Lisa. Oh God.

“What about her?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly. “Do you know where she is? Is she okay?”

Horrible images flash through my mind–Lisa, chained and

bleeding in some dank cell. Lisa, screaming as a vampire tears into her throat. Lisa, broken and lifeless, her once vibrant eyes dull and empty…

Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to banish the nightmarish visions. No. I can’t think like that. Lisa is alive. She has to be.

“She’s alive,” the voice confirms, as if reading my thoughts. “For

now.”

My eyes snap open, my heart lurching in my chest. “What do you mean? Where is she?”

“I can’t tell you that.” A pause, filled with static. “Not yet.”

Frustration battles with the fear coursing through me. “Then why are you calling me?” I snap. my free hand curling into a fist at my

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side. “What’s the point of this?”

“I’m calling to warn you.” The mechanical quality of the voice seems to intensify, becoming even more flat and distorted. “Your wolves are too slow to act, and danger is coming. If you don’t come soon, Lisa will be sacrificed like the others.”

Rage flares hot and bright in my chest. “Like hell she is,” I snarl, my lips curling back from my teeth. “I will never stop looking for her. Never. And if you hurt her, I swear to God I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” the voice interrupts, a hint of amusement creeping into its mechanical monotone. “You have no idea what you’re up against, little wolf. Hurry and come to the city, where we can teach you your powers and you can save your little friend. If you don’t, you’ll end up being the worst mistake your narrow–minded alpha has ever made.”

A chill runs down my spine at the threat, but I refuse to back down. “I’m not afraid of you,” I say, injecting as much steel into my voice as I can muster. “Or whoever you’re working for. I will replace Lisa. And I will make you pay for taking her.”]

“You think I’m the enemy,” the voice muses. “But we’re trying to save you. Come to us, Ava Grey, before you destroy everyone. The price of your pride will be too great. Your power is too strong to be left alone. Either learn to control it, or everyone dies around you.”

A click, and then… nothing. The line goes dead, leaving me standing there with the phone pressed to my ear, my heart pounding and my mind reeling.

Ava? Selene presses again, her concern sharpening to alarm. What is it? What’s wrong?

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