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

1/6

196 Ava: History of Witches

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

need to give Mrs.

chance.

a bit of a story, if you want to

course I do. "Let's sit down," I offer, motioning toward

bench.

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

a good thing

soft groan. She places her parcel next to her and gives me a wry smile. "I'm

My mind is a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. I want to trust Mrs. Elkins, to believe in the genuine care she's always shown me, but the doubts linger like shadows

to her, Ava, Selene urges gently. She

present moment. Mrs. Elkins studies me for a long

much do you know about

catches me off guard. "Witches? They're not real." The words tumble out automatically, a knee-jerk

16:01

215

History of

as I say it, there's

watches me with that calm gaze of hers.

about that?"

I shake my head.

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

what isn't?

surprise you think they aren't real. The

magicians different?" I ask, curiosity

"Magicians? They're

witches is shameful

Elkins fixes them with a stern look. "Now, now. Let's not pass judgment before we've even heard the whole

were hidden, and they didn't cause any trouble. But as- time went on, many witches were threatened by

between them."

forward, drawn in

were hunted down," Mrs. Elkins says quietly.

16:01

3/6

you, but it

by thejenfocations. *if they

of most didn't change the genocide wrought upon their

things.*

his throat. "Witches wanted to eradicate