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

:

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.

did you even know

"That vampire was not real, she continues, her voice low and serious.

designed to sow fear and chaos within

Confused, I trot a little faster to reach her side. "Who

shakes her head. "That, my dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that I believe you will discover

time."

you won't

some things I cannot tell you, wolf. No matter what price is

the eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A

notes, following my gaze. "That sword once belonged to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside the Fae

worlds

fingertips hovering just above the cool metal. "How did you come to possess

chuckles, "Let's just say that I have a knack for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over the centuries, I've amassed

reminder of the vast chasm of experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the rest of

if reading my thoughts. "There is so much more for you to discover,

what appears to be the main foyer, where a peculiar group awaits our

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 a

breath, her medical knowledge kicking into gear as she attempts

The

it's some

exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?"

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with

rudeness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I've

clouds the

I've never encountered

seen

you

garden, saying something about it warding off bad energy. But they look nothing like 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 by the gnome's reaction, takes a few steps back, her ears flattening against her head. The gnome woman shudders, rubbing her arms as if trying to rid herself of Selene's presence. "Wolves," she

17:19

Ava The

shaking her head

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

Blackwood Pack."

open my mouth to protest, but close it at Sister Miriam's

scrunches in disgust. "Renard's little runaway