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

Miriam sighs. "That vampire was not real, she

illusion designed to sow fear and chaos within your

Confused, I trot a little faster to

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

time."

you won't

cannot tell you,

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

Sister Miriam notes, following my gaze. "That sword once belonged to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside the Fae in a battle that shaped

worlds

cool metal. "How did you come to

that I have a knack for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over the centuries, I've

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

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

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

woman, standing no taller than a five

steps, taken aback by the sight before us, Vanessa mutters under her breath, her medical knowledge kicking into gear as she attempts to

The Fae Ward

some other

the woman in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone is deep and fully matured,

childlike stature.

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 a gnome

seen Vanessa so

now you have. And I'd appreciate it if you kept your medical

course. Even my mother has one in her 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

17:19

Ava The

shaking her

drawing our attention back to her. "Layla, this is who we've

Blackwood Pack."

to protest, but close it at Sister

scrunches in disgust. "Renard's little