Tangled

11 Ava: The Novel Grind

The new beginning I crave begins in a quaint town by the name of Cedarwood, just outside of Spokane, Washington. It isn’t that I made a conscious choice to stay here, exactly. I sensed shifters at the train station in Spokane and panicked. A rideshare app and a destination chosen at random brought me to

Cedarwood. Specifically, to an adorable bookshop cafe on a picturesque little street in the middle of their

commercial district. @

Seriously, the entire street gives me a modern

Victorian vibe, and families all walk because there is literally no parking anywhere. I guess people come

here for the charm.

Two weeks later, I’m still at the shop, only now I’m working there. As an added perk, I even get an apartment in the above floor. It was used as storage for a few years by my new boss, and I have a lot of cleaning to do yet, but it’s mine, and I love it, even if there are boxes everywhere.

I still don’t know how all the luck managed to swing my way, but I’m not going to complain. I haven’t seen a

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11 Ava: The Novel Grind

single shifter since I came here, and from what I hear, the Aspen Pack treats humans well in their territory. There’s a huge part of me that’s terrified they will come banging on my door, demanding to know why I haven’t informed them of my presence, but–well, that’s a problem for future Ava. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I’m hoping that I smell human enough to not be

bothered.

Mrs. Elkins enters the store, the bell above the door

announcing her arrival. I look up from the book I’m shelving, a smile already forming on my lips. There’s something about her presence that puts me at ease. There might even be a tiny part of my mind that thinks she’s married to Santa Claus.

“Good morning, Ava,” she greets me warmly, her rheumy eyes crinkling at the corners. “How are you doing today? Settling in alright?”

I nod, my smile widening. “I’m doing well, Mrs. Elkins. Thank you again for the job and the apartment. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

laughs, a melodious sound that fills the space. “Oh, Ava, you don’t have to thank

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Ava: The

you know.”

cheeks warm. “I know, I

comforting, almost maternal. “The Novel Grind is a

and I blink them back, fluttering my lashes in a desperate attempt to hide how hard her words hit me. If only she knew just how much of an

“Among the thousands of realities

shelves upon shelves of books. Each one holds a different story, a different life. Maybe, just maybe, I can find my own story here

thick with emotion. “I think I will.” I rub my breastbone, feeling that now–familiar burn flare. Nothing eases the pain, but I’ve developed a habit of scrubbing

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377

The Novel

in hopes of easing it.

in her eye. “I have no doubt about that, my dear. No doubt at all. Now, tell me, is

back a laugh, wiping the tears from my eyes in a discreet motion hidden behind adjusting my glasses. Carlos is my new co–worker. He’s a few years older than me, kind and funny, and

“He’s even helped me prepare to sign up for night classes this summer, since I probably won’t have a car yet. We’ve been working out the logistics of

Oh, Ava, that’s wonderful! What are

has me ducking my head, a little embarrassed. I don’t admit that I’ve dropped out of

The

box in White Peak that Lisa set up for

be traced. Neither of us are really sure how

fingers trace the spine of the book I just shelved. “I thought. maybe

“I think that’s a fantastic idea. You know, I’ve seen the way you handle the books, Ava. It’s like you have a special connection with them. I think you’d excel

at her words, a sense of belonging settling

a lot to

think I smell some fresh coffee brewing.

these books?”

you

finish up

up with

the rest of the books on

that.”

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