Page 85 of Ava: Part Three

"The others should be going to their training sessions now."

She twirled around to the vampire who'd appeared out of nowhere.

"I appreciate that you want to study, but next time, don't lose track of time," the librarian added.

She wanted to ask what the hell she was talking about when she realised they were probably being watched or the Council was near. Maybe the librarian knew about Mr Hansson’s means of spying.

"Run along, now. You’ll still make it in time," the librarian said as she walked to her desk in the middle of the atrium.

Was she one of Mr Patrick's 'people'? Like Penelope? She could sense this woman was much stronger than the dean’s receptionist. Would she help them fight?

She had many questions, but there was no time to ask. She needed to get out of there to find Zeke. She almost ran straight out of the door when she realised she had no shoes or blazer on and her shirt was ripped along the sides. If she hoped not to let on what she had almost done, this wasn’t the way to do it.

When she ran back into the atrium, the librarian had disappeared. She rushed to the study room and made herself more presentable before jogging the whole way to the Training Centre.

Andrei had said to wait until they sent for her. How was she supposed to go about her day as usual when she could feel the emptiness in her soul? When her wolf was already stirring, ready to react to this threat?

A few students were still rushing into the building, so she wasn’t completely late. They moved out of her way as she ran to her dressing room and changed out of her ruined uniform. She threw the uniform in the trash before she headed to the Intermediate training room. She was already starting to hyperventilate again.

Coach Henderson was still addressing the class when she slipped in and went to sit in the bleachers. And because she knew she wasn’t going to spar with any of them, she concentrated on her breathing. On calming her heart.

‘Please listen to me. He will die if we shift and find him. We will all die. Please trust me.’

But as always, there was silence in her head. Only these thoughts of havoc. These images of the atrocities she had committed before and wanted to do again.

Blood. Screams. Limbs.

Her wolf wanted to rip through everyone until she found Zeke. Did she like Zeke now? But that thought was pushed aside when her claws started to lengthen. Her rage began to build. She wanted to taste the Council’s blood on her tongue for even daring—.

“I’m sorry, Ava, Zeke isn’t here yet to begin your training.”

She looked up at Coach Henderson, and when the vampire stepped back, she knew she was about to fail her mission. She should have gone home instead of putting more people at risk. At least that way, it would only be her and Zeke in danger.

But she sensed something approaching. That darkness. The evil that wanted to own her soul.

‘He’s here. Calm down. Please.’

Maybe they would bring Zeke and put her out of her misery.

Everyone must have sensed him, too, because they stopped what they were doing and nervously shuffled away from the entrance.

Coach Henderson looked down at her and saw how she gripped the seat beside her. He must have guessed this was happening because of her. Again. Were they going to see another unnecessary display of power from the Council?

When the door opened, Mr Hansson strolled in casually with the three councillors behind him, and his gaze landed on her immediately.

“Ah. Miss Morgan. I’m so happy to see you.”

And he looked it. He looked ecstatic. She could see it in his purple eyes as if she had passed the test.

Her wolf calmed down immediately; maybe she realised this, too.

“Please join me for a little stroll. I have something that belongs to you.”

Chapter 50

Avastoodandlookedat her coach as if she would miraculously see the solutions to her problems in his eyes. But the coach stepped aside and kept his head lowered.

Though her wolf was calm now, she felt more alert. She could hear the quickened heartbeats of the other students without trying and knew it was her wolf allowing her to, maybe so they could both stay alert. She walked out of the bleachers towards the president of the academy and remembered to keep her head down. To remain unthreatening.

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