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?"

17:19 C

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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 about it?" Marcus

have our ways, wolf" Sister Miriam sighs. "That vampire was not real,

illusion designed to sow fear and chaos within your

a little faster to reach her side. "Who would do something like

dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that I believe you will discover

time."

you won't answer

tell you, wolf. No

eclectic mix of artifacts on display.

following my gaze. "That sword once belonged to a great warrior, a

worlds

the cool

I have a knack for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over the

Sister Miriam from the rest of us. I can't even begin to imagine

is just the beginning, Sister Miriam says, as if reading

to be the main foyer, where a

striking resemblance to the thralls who served me during my previous 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 or six-year-old child. Despite her youthful stature, her face reveals the maturity of

falter in our steps, taken aback by the sight before us, Vanessa mutters under her breath, her medical knowledge kicking into gear as she attempts to rationalize the woman's unique proportions. "Not warfism," she whispers, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Ava: The Fae

some

in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?" Her

childlike stature.

flush with embarrassment, and she

her rudeness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I've never even of gnomes.

the

never encountered a

seen Vanessa so

crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, now you

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

17:19

The

shaking her

drawing our attention back to her. "Layla, this is who we've been waiting for Ava Grey

Blackwood Pack."

mouth to protest, but close it

nose scrunches in disgust.