Page 49 of Ava: Part Three

He was so close now. So inappropriately close. She felt the heat from his whole body, and something in her recoiled. She did not want this man’s touch because she already belonged to another.

She heard a loud, hair-raising growl that made the vampire step back. It took her a moment to realise that the growl came from her throat.

“Wow. I have to admit, I can see why he’s attracted to you now,” the vampire said. “You have the whole cold-blooded abomination vibe all over you.”

And she could see he was now more curious than ever.

“Well, that was disappointing, but I will see you again, Ava Morgan. Soon,” he said, and then he smiled and walked away.

The door opened, and Jared stepped out, his eyes on the councillor as he left the building.

“What do they want?”

She looked back at Jared.

“Stay out of things, Jared. Keep yourself safe,” she told him before walking to her first class.

She had to admit, though it was worrying her that the councillor said he would see her again soon, she had a better idea of why they hadn’t made a move. They didn’t know everything. They didn’t know how she had survived Isolation, and they didn’t know who had been giving her information about them. It made her feel they had a slight chance to achieve what Mr Patrick wanted.

But by the time training came back around, she realised that it didn’t matter. The Council liked that they could play these games with their lives.

When they came into training this time, they stood at the front with Coach Henderson. Councillor Andrei didn’t take his eyes off hers for a moment as the coach announced their task that day.

“Today we’re having a showcase,” the coach said. “We will watch Claire and her friends fight.”

But who?

The vampire smiled widely as if he had heard that thought. And she knew today was going to be as messed up as the day before.

Chapter 29

“AlphaDiegoisgoingto explain more,” the coach said before walking to sit at the front.

“We are going to learn what is expected of us as members of this community,” Alpha Diego started as he stepped forward. “Sometimes things happen in the world, and we are called upon to serve. This is why you train so hard. So you are ready to face trials when you return to your communities.”

Ava looked around at the other students and saw they all had their heads down, but the tension was palpable. Yesterday’s training taught them what the Council’s lessons were all about.

“Some of you may think our methods are a little... outdated. Or barbaric,” the Alpha continued. “But they are necessary. Without them, the whole world would be in chaos. It is your duty to understand where you fit in the wheel that keeps everything running smoothly. It’s your duty to follow the rules given to you. Or you will suffer the consequences.”

Like Emily. He didn’t say that out loud, but she was sure that was the picture they all had in their heads.

“We understand that you are all here to learn. Some of you are still new here and may think the rules are meant to be broken or bent. But you have not earned that right yet. You have not earned that privilege,” he said, looking directly at her this time. “Some of you are exceptional and will have the honour of being called to serve the Council. You are here to learn what that entails. But if you do not learn those lessons, if you feel that our ways are not your ways, then you have no place in our community.”

That was it. That was what they wanted. For her to follow the rules and do as they asked, or she would be considered a threat.

It meant they had not decided which she was yet. They were still testing her.

“So for today’s training, you are to sit back and watch those who know what it is to serve, fighting the Fourth-Year Advanced and Expert level students who should have learned this lesson by now,” the Alpha continued. “And after today, we hope you will take your training more seriously.”

Her body went cold. She looked around the room but didn’t see Zeke.

Where was he? What had they done?

Her heart was in her mouth when the training room door opened, and some students from the other levels started to shuffle in and find seats. Zeke wasn’t with them. She looked at the Council members and saw they were watching her. Whatever they were about to do was something that would affect her profoundly. She would follow what rules they wanted if they left him alone.

“If only it was that simple. But we like to deal with certainties,” Alpha Diego said directly to her.

And then the door opened again, and Derek, Myles and Jared walked in. They all looked at her as they walked to the mats that had been placed in the middle of the room. She knew they were strong, but at that moment, they were just little boys being used in a game by the Council.

---