Tangled

Unshift 219

Unshift 219

219 Ava: The Fae Ward (1)

"I don't have ADHD, Selene."

"Don't you?" Vanessa looks surprised.

"Do I?" My surprise mirrors hers.

*I assumed you... Well, I'm not a doctor, only a pack healer, so I could be wrong."

"ADHD or not, we're taking too long. Let's go, children. Ava, finish your conversation or talk while you walk, please."

Sister Miriam's stern housemistress voice has us all straightening up and following, as I mutter into the phone, "We're all safe, and have a few things to tell you later when we get settled."

Kellan sighs. "Make sure you call, Ava. And call Lucas too. You know he's going to be worried. I've already updated him through text. Since he hasn't blown my phone up or ripped my head off from afar, I can only assume he's busy with the Council."

"Got it. I will."

Hanging up, I see Vanessa sliding her own phone into her pocket, flashing an amused smile in my direction. "Had to text Vester and warn him."

"Doesn't he know you're doing this?"

"Of course, but he worries."

As we walk, Vanessa quickens her pace to catch up with Sister Miriam. "What did you mean earlier, before we went through the portal? About that vampire in Blackwood territory never existing?"

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210 Ave The Fan Ward (

Sister Miriam pauses, turning to face us with an enigmatic smile. "Ah, yes. Marjory, was it? The one who died screaming during your interrogation"

My best guess is that she's talking about my neighbor, Margot Mitchell. The idea that she's dead sits heavy on my mind; I'm not sure how to feel about it.

know

was not real,

sow fear and

a little faster to reach her side. "Who would

a question with a complicated answer. One that

time."

you won't

cannot tell you,

drawn to the eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its blade etched

to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside the

worlds

fingertips hovering just above the cool metal.

"Let's just say that I have a knack for acquiring rare

of experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the

says, as if reading

main foyer, where a peculiar

visit to Sister Miriam's home. However, it's the third individual who captures my attention-an incredibly short woman, standing no taller than a five

knowledge kicking into gear

Ava: The Fae Ward

some other

Vanessa can continue her speculations, the woman in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone is deep and fully matured, a stark contrast to

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with embarrassment, and

sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I've never even of gnomes. Just the garden

clouds the

never encountered a gnome

never seen Vanessa

arms over her chest. "Well, now you have. And I'd appreciate it if you kept

the woman in front of us. Selene, on the other hand, trots straight up to the woman, her nose twitching as she takes in her scent. The gnome woman recoils, her face scrunching up in displeasure. "Back up," she demands, her voice sharp and authoritative. Selene, startled

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Ava The Fan Ward

shaking her head in

back to her. "Layla, this is who we've been waiting

Blackwood Pack."

my mouth to protest, but

nose scrunches in disgust. "Renard's