Ava's POV

I stopped in my tracks.

A sharp set of footsteps ran behind me, and Adele rushed up again and grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt.

Probably because I had just pushed her hand away, I noticed that she had tried to hold my hand for a moment and then grabbed the corner of my shirt.

"Don't touch it, Adele," my voice was low. "There's blood on that and it'll get your hands dirty."

I didn't expect the words to simply act like a switch. She suddenly stiffened and lost all movement, followed by two convulsions, and then suddenly let out a loud cry.

That cry is...