Read Online Feral Instincts (The Feral Series) by Erin Ashley - Free Book Online Page B

too pale and had faint shadows under her eyes.
    Ava
wanted to shrink under the scrutiny of all their eyes, staring at her in
curiosity. The room was full of huge, powerful men and from what she had been
told they were all vampires except for two werewolves. Not exactly something to
put a girl at ease. She felt the hard stare of one man in particular sitting in
the shadows of the corner. She wanted to crawl behind Victor and hide but he
kept her anchored to his side, with one arm around her shoulder.
    She
didn’t want to meet their eyes so instead she fiddled with the hem of her
sweater that fashionably slid off of one delicate shoulder. She had worn it
over a pair of knee length leggings with a pair of ballet flats. One of
Victor’s servants had been nice enough to purchase some clothing for her. She
hadn’t known what to wear to the meeting, really, what did a girl wear to a
vampire meeting, but she had chosen the sweater since her body temperature
still hadn’t returned to normal and probably wouldn’t for a while.
    “Gentleman
I’d like you all to meet Ava. She is the young woman Teagan rescued from
Salvatore’s lair in the raid. From what we understand Salvatore turned her
himself and it seems that he has taken an unusual interest in her. From conversations
I have had with Ava it looks as though he may have chosen her as his potential
mate.” Ava blushed at this but didn’t interrupt as Victor continued to speak.
“We believe Ava may be able to help us get to Salvatore. Ava has agreed to help
us in luring him out into the open.”
    Ava
dared a glance up at the fierce men sitting in front of her, trying to read
their reactions to Victor’s plan. She wasn’t at all certain of her reception
here. She wondered if the fact that Salvatore was her sire would turn some of
them against her. She couldn’t blame them if it did. Part of her was afraid
they would reject her offer to help but part of her was afraid they would
accept it too.
    Suddenly
Ava made eye contact with Joseph, the guardian that had brought her to the compound
her first night. She was startled at the fierce look he pinned on her. His dark
brows were drawn together tightly and she could see a muscle clenching in his
jaw.
    “Bait.”
Joseph’s voice rose above the quiet in the room. “You want to use her as rogue
bait. Do you think it is fair to possibly endanger yet another innocent’s
life?” Ava took a deep breath and somehow found the nerve to speak up for
herself.
    “Victor
has made me aware of the dangers involved. I know how important it is to
eliminate Salvatore as quickly as possible. If using me as bait will
give you any kind of edge then I think it’s worth the risk. Of course I have
personal reasons for wanting to see Salvatore stopped but I know I wasn’t his
only victim. Innocent people are dying and being turned against their will and
I am willing to do whatever is necessary to help you, no matter the risk.”
    Victor’s
firm gaze locked with Joseph’s. “The decision has been made and Ava has agreed.
I understand your concerns and every effort will be made to ensure that Ava is
well protected.” With a low growl Joseph lowered his frustrated gaze to the
floor. He clearly wanted to argue more but knew by the look in his clan
leader’s eye that it was time to back off.
    Daniel
looked over at Teagan in the corner, he noticed he hadn’t taken his eyes off of
Ava for a moment since she had walked in and noted his clenched fist. He could
feel the frustration coming off of his kinsman during the conversation about
using Ava as bait for Salvatore. He smirked at how transparent his future alpha
was being.
    “Very
well then, we will work on a plan and in the meantime you will continue your
patrol schedules in Lake View. I would appreciate it if you gentlemen will
remember to behave yourselves and to help Ava feel at home here. I know we
don’t usually have women staying here at Claymore but Ava may be with us for a
while and had