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

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196 Ava: History of Witches

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

time. I need

chance.

of a story, if

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

bench.

It's somewhat amusing to see them so on edge over an

a good thing that they take any threat so

me with a soft groan. She places her parcel next to her and gives me a wry smile. "I'm getting too old for this kind of travel,

to smile back, but it feels strained. 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,

Ava, Selene urges

present moment. Mrs. Elkins studies me for a long moment before speaking

how much do

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

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215

History

say it, there's no belief

me with that calm gaze of hers. "Are you

about that?"

I shake my head.

until recently I'd never seen a vampire and hadn't really known

what isn't?

no surprise you think they aren't real. The packs don't talk about them. It's a

magicians different?" I

They're

shameful on all

them with a stern look. "Now, now. Let's not

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

between them."

lean forward, drawn in despite

Elkins

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you, but

by thejenfocations. *if

terrible things. In the end, the innocence of most didn't change the genocide wrought upon their kind. People feared their power, and fear

things.*

guards growls low in his throat. "Witches wanted to eradicate everyone