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.

know about

wolf" Sister Miriam sighs. "That vampire was not real, she

to sow fear

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

head. "That, my dear, is a question with a complicated answer.

time."

you won't

cannot tell you, wolf. No matter what price

of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its blade etched with intricate runes that seem to shimmer in

belonged to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside the Fae in

worlds

above the cool metal.

a knack for acquiring rare

experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam

this is just the beginning, Sister Miriam says, as if reading my thoughts. "There is so much

the main foyer, where a peculiar group

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

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. "She's

Ava: The Fae

some other

exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone is deep and fully matured, a stark contrast

childlike stature.

with embarrassment, and she

didn't mean to stare. I've never even of

clouds the

I've never

seen Vanessa

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

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

17:19

Ava The

shaking her head in

drawing our attention back to her. "Layla, this

Blackwood Pack."

to protest, but

disgust. "Renard's