Tangled

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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

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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.

I was in my

of another room. It's large, with no furniture at all. Only Sister

of lamps in various styles. Some look like street lamps. Others are more sleek, and modern. Some look like bizarre art deco styles that make no

the First Ward of Dakota Sanctuary, Ava

"Not at all."

thud against

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

His gruff voice is laced

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

locked on the array of lamps scattered throughout the room. Her fingertips graze the surface of a particularly ornate piece, a wistful expression on her face. "I had one just like this when I was a kid. It sat

her head, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Collecting things is a personal hobby of mine. I find joy in surrounding myself with objects that

the bookshelves in Sister Miriam's home flash through my mind-row upon row of books, antique editions mingling with modern paperbacks. The sheer volume

many homes do you have?" The question slips out before I can stop it, my

hand. "Oh, who keeps track of

and we both grin.

of their houses?

money to lose

they own?

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we do, and it has nothing to do with

portal behind us doesn't disappear, and Marcus frowns at it.

on the other side. This one is

against what sounds like glass, and Marcus leans forward to touch it, looking doubtful. Then his eyebrows raise in surprise, his hand sliding over

old vampires have acquired

his breath, "Well, that explains how they've been

Miriam inclines her head. "A simple question in my direction would have saved

and mouth slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully, her brow furrowed as

marvel at the sheer

through a museum, with

with modern art

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