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 to give

chance.

a bit of a story, if you want to hear

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

bench.

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,

guess it's a good thing that they take

places her parcel next to her and gives me a wry smile. "I'm getting too old for

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

to her, Ava, Selene urges

the present moment. Mrs. Elkins studies me

how much do you know

off guard. "Witches? They're not real." The

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Ava: History of

it, there's no

Elkins watches me with that calm gaze

about that?"

I shake my head.

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

what isn't?

they aren't real. The

and magicians different?" I ask, curiosity piqued

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

witches is shameful

few soft growls rumble from the older guards, their disapproval clear. Mrs. Elkins fixes them with a stern look. "Now, now. Let's not pass judgment before we've even heard the whole story."" She turns back to me, her

were hidden, and they didn't cause any trouble. But as- time went on, many witches were threatened by the power of wolves, vampires, and the Fae.

between them."

forward, drawn in

Elkins says quietly. "By

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you, but

by thejenfocations. *if they

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

things.*

his throat. "Witches wanted to eradicate everyone who could stand against them. They