Page 39 of The Scribe (Irin Chronicles 1)

Her mother never raised her voice. She shut up immediately.

“I want you to listen to me very carefully.” Her mother’s voice sent chills down her neck. “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“The man Carl hired quit over a week ago. There was some sort of scheduling conflict, and I convinced him you were perfectly safe since you were staying in the city. Ava… he didn’t hire anyone else.”

She sat on the edge of her bed, breath coming in small panicked bursts. “Mom…”

“Whoever these people are whosaythey are guarding you, Ava, they were not hired by us. Do you understand?”

She nodded, but no words left her mouth.

“Ava, are you still there?” Her mother’s voice was panicked. “Carl!”

“I’m here, Mom.”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

It was all a lie. Ava had never felt more vulnerable in her life. The chill at her neck spread. She heard her mother and Carl muttering in the background, then her stepfather picked up the phone.

“Ava?”

“Yeah?”

“This man, he’s been following you for a week?”

“Yes. We’ve… been friendly. He seemed nice. Very professional.”

“Does he have any idea you suspect him? Did you tell him you were calling home?”

“No.”

There was a pause. “I’m calling my contacts in Istanbul as soon as we get off the phone. In the morning, there will be a package waiting for you at the front desk. I want you to find out who these people are.” Ava heard her mother protesting in the background, but Carl’s voice was cold and clear. “If you’re threatened, if you’re in danger at all, use it. I know you know how. We can take care of any fallout after you’re safe.”

Ava took a deep breath. “I understand.”