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

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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

with no furniture at all. Only Sister Miriam

a ridiculous amount of lamps in various styles. Some look like street lamps. Others are more sleek, and modern.

to the First Ward of Dakota Sanctuary, Ava Grey." Sister Miriam's eyes crinkle. "Was it

"Not at all."

my boots thud

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Embracing Change

cozy and fall-feeling, that settles my

voice

nod, offering 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

Miriam tilts her head, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Collecting things is a personal hobby of mine. I

the bookshelves in Sister Miriam's home flash through my mind-row upon row of books, antique editions mingling

you have?" The question slips out before I can stop it,

Miriam waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, who keeps track of

we both grin.

of their houses?

money to lose track

they own?

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very different world than we do, and it has nothing to do with a shifter

Marcus frowns at it. "I

other side. This one

gray-black smoke within the portal. Her knuckles ring against what sounds like glass, and Marcus leans forward to touch

Miriam laughs. "Many old vampires have acquired their own

"Well, that explains how they've

my direction would have saved you a lot

slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully, her brow furrowed

of the room, and Lean't help but marvel at the sheer size

through a museum, with clusters of

every available surface. Antique vases mingle with modern

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Embracing Change