Tangled

Unshift 218

Unshift 218

218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

Traveling with a vampire is a lot less mystical than I expect. (1)

It's nothing like whatever fueled my magic travel to her home. There is no endless darkness, nor an expanse of red that blots out the existence of everything else. There's no sense of travel, no sense of suffocation.

Instead, Sister Miriam spreads an arm, and a shimmering gate appears before us, silvery-black and swirling on the inside.

"Since your guards are so wary, I shall allow one of them to go first. Then me. Then you, Ava, and the last guard. This gate will disperse after the last, or after thirty seconds. It's your choice."

Her warning is clear: Either come with her, or don't, but the choice

is mine.

"Got it."

Marcus steps forward without a word, giving me a brusque nod before walking through the magical vortex, as tense as a man walking to his execution. He draws his gun before entering, and Sister Miriam says nothing, only allowing an amused twitch of her. lips.

Before Sister Miriam enters, she glances toward Jericho. "That wolf who died, screaming about a vampire in the Blackwood territory. What was her name? Marjory?"

Kellan steps between them. "How do you know about-"

She shakes her head. "That vampire never existed. When you go

17:18

1/6

218 Ava Embracing Chango (II)

through your investigation, remember that. He never existed,

Think of my advice as a free favor from a friend. It would have been a costly one." She winks in a way that should come across playful, but looks awkward on her not-quite-in-sync features, before stepping through the gate.

"I-damn it, she's gone. Ava, I don't think this is a good idea."

"I'm leaving. Marcus is already on the other side. I have my phone. I'll call you as soon as I'm there." Feeling terrible for ignoring Kellan's plight, I dash through the portal, hoping I'm making the right decision. Vanessa's right behind me, giving me a warm sense of safety as I step through, prepared to feel some sort of otherworldly traveling experience.

But there's nothing.

ago, I was in

of another room. It's large, with no furniture

lamps. Others are more sleek, and modern. Some look

Ava Grey."

"Not at all."

boots thud against

17:18

Embracing

something cozy and fall-feeling, that settles my nerves. Marcus is at my side in an instant, his eyes sweeping over me

gruff voice is

small smile. "I'm fine. Just...

graze the surface of a particularly ornate

at the corners of her lips. "Collecting things is a personal hobby of

mind-row upon row of books, antique editions mingling with modern paperbacks. The sheer volume of

out before I can stop it, my curiosity

dismissive hand. "Oh, who keeps track of such a

and we both grin. Who doesn't keep

of their houses?

money to lose

they own?

17:18

3/6

Embracing

and it has nothing to do with a

disappear, and Marcus frowns at it.

This one is permanent. You can touch it when

against what sounds like glass, and Marcus leans forward to touch it, looking doubtful. Then his eyebrows

old vampires have acquired their own portals over

how they've

head. "A simple question in my direction would have saved you

slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully, her brow furrowed as she processes this

leads us out of the room, and Lean't help but marvel at

with clusters of

mingle with modern art sculptures, while vintage photographs

17:18

416

Ava: Embracing Change