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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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.

second ago, I was

room. It's large, with no furniture at all. Only Sister Miriam and Marcus

sleek, and modern. Some look like bizarre art deco styles that

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

"Not at all."

my boots thud against

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Ava: Embracing Change

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

voice is laced with

small smile.

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

at the corners of her lips. "Collecting things is a personal hobby of mine. I find joy

row of books, antique editions mingling with modern paperbacks.

out before I can stop it, my curiosity getting the

hand. "Oh, who keeps

eye, and we both grin. Who

of their houses?

even has the money to lose track of

they own?

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and it has nothing to do with a shifter versus

at it. "I

side. This one is permanent. You can touch it when it

Miriam strides forward with confidence, reaching over to rap against the swirling gray-black smoke within the portal. Her knuckles ring against what sounds like glass,

Miriam laughs. "Many old vampires have acquired their own portals over

explains how they've been able to travel into

my direction

and mouth slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully,

marvel at the sheer size of the mansion we've stepped

through a museum, with clusters of

available surface. Antique vases mingle with modern art sculptures, while vintage photographs

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