Tangled

Unshift 196

Unshift 196

196 Ava: History of Witches

196 Ava: History of Witches

She is a good person, Selene whispers.

No shit.

I know that already.

Mrs. Elkins is the one who took me in when I was lost and

desperate to start anew.

But Mrs. Elkins is also here, knowing something about the necklace that helped hide my powers.

How much did she know about me? How much did she hide?

My stomach churns with the bitter feelings of betrayal. "You knew about me all along, didn't you?"

"No." Mrs. Elkins stops walking, concern crossing her face. "I knew you were a shifter, of course. I've seen more than one rogue in my life, looking for a new start. You were so lost, so scared. I had to help you."

"Why?" There's a part of my mind that immediately throws in unlikely scenarios, like Mrs. Elkins laughing behind my back over my naivete and ignorance.

But I know Mrs. Elkins.

That's not the kind of person she is.

So I shove it down, squashing it beneath a mental heel with ruthless efficiency.

It's my paranoia trying to take over again. Just like it did every time

16:00

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196 Ava: History of Witches

Lucas tried to give me any bit of attention or care.

I need to give Mrs.

chance.

a bit of a story, if you want to hear

I do. "Let's sit down," I

bench.

security detail lets her through with no grumbling, though their eyes never leave her. It's somewhat amusing to see them so on edge over an elderly lady who spends her day in a bookstore, gossiping with Cedarwood residents and

a good thing that they take any

groan. She places her parcel next to her

to trust Mrs. Elkins, to believe in the genuine care she's always shown me, but the

Selene urges

breath, forcing myself to focus on the present moment.

do you know about

off guard. "Witches? They're not real." The words tumble out automatically,

16:01

215

History of

I say it, there's no belief

that calm

about that?"

I shake my head.

I'd never seen a vampire and hadn't really known about them. So how am I supposed

what isn't?

Elkins looks surprised, then pleased. "Well, it's no surprise you think they aren't real. The packs

different?" I ask, curiosity

her head. "Magicians? They're the same.

is shameful

"Now,

any trouble. But as- time went on, many witches were threatened by the power of wolves,

between them."

drawn in despite myself.

Elkins

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you, but it

froudited by thejenfocations. *if they

there were those who did terrible things. In the end, the innocence of most didn't change the genocide wrought upon their kind. People

things.*

throat. "Witches wanted to eradicate everyone who could