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.

with time. I need to give Mrs. Elkins the

chance.

a bit of a story, if

do. "Let's sit down," I

bench.

with no grumbling, though their eyes never leave her. It's somewhat amusing to see them so on edge

good thing

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

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,

to her, Ava, Selene

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

do

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

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215

History

it, there's no belief

that calm gaze of hers. "Are

about that?"

I shake my head.

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

what isn't?

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

I ask, curiosity

shakes her head. "Magicians? They're

shameful on all

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,

see, Ava, witches once lived in harmony among humans. Their abilities 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. It caused a lot of

between them."

lean forward, drawn in despite myself. "What

hunted down," Mrs. Elkins says quietly.

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but

froudited by thejenfocations.

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

things.*

to