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.

even know about it?"

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

to sow fear and chaos

faster to reach her side. "Who

shakes her head. "That, my dear, is a question with a

time."

won't

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

the winding corridors of the mansion, I find myself drawn to the eclectic mix of artifacts on

"That sword once belonged to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside the Fae

worlds

out, my fingertips hovering just above the cool

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

The word hangs in the air, a reminder of the vast chasm of experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the rest of us. I can't even begin to imagine the things she's seen,

beginning, Sister Miriam says, as if reading my thoughts. "There is so much more for you to discover,

the main foyer, where a peculiar group

woman, standing no taller than a five or six-year-old child. Despite her youthful stature, her face reveals the maturity of a woman well

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

it's some

ever seen a gnome

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with embarrassment,

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

clouds the

I've never encountered

seen Vanessa so

gnome woman huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, now you have.

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,

17:19

Ava The Fan Ward

shaking her head in

"Layla, this is who

Blackwood Pack."

open my mouth to protest, but close it at

nose scrunches in disgust. "Renard's