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.

need

chance.

story, if you want to hear

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

bench.

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

places her parcel next to her and gives me a wry smile.

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 at

to her, Ava, Selene

breath, forcing myself to focus on the present moment. Mrs. Elkins studies me for a long moment

how much do

not real." The words tumble out automatically, a knee-jerk

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215

History of

as I say it, there's

Elkins watches me with that calm gaze

about that?"

I shake my head.

and hadn't really known about them. So how am I supposed to know

what isn't?

surprised, then pleased. "Well, it's no surprise you think they aren't real. The packs don't talk about them. It's a

magicians different?" I

"Magicians? They're the same.

witches is shameful on

their disapproval clear. Mrs. Elkins fixes them with a stern look. "Now, now. Let's not pass judgment

But as- time went on, many witches were threatened by the power of wolves, vampires, and the Fae. It caused a lot of political

between them."

lean forward, drawn in despite myself.

hunted down," Mrs. Elkins says quietly. "By humans

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but

thejenfocations. *if they

the innocence of most didn't change the genocide wrought upon their kind. People feared their power,

things.*

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