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?"

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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.

did you even know about

have our ways, wolf" Sister Miriam sighs. "That vampire was not real, she continues, her voice low and serious. "He

clever illusion designed to sow fear and chaos

faster to reach her side. "Who would

my dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that

time."

won't answer

things I cannot tell you, wolf. No

eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword

once belonged to a great warrior, a man

worlds

above the cool

have a knack for acquiring rare and valuable

and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the

as if reading my thoughts. "There is so much more for

appears to be the main foyer, where a peculiar

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 a woman well into her forties, Long blonde

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

The

some

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

childlike stature.

with embarrassment, and she

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

clouds the woman's

I've never encountered

seen Vanessa so

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

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

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The Fan Ward

her head

her. "Layla, this

Blackwood Pack."

open my mouth to protest, but close

in disgust. "Renard's little runaway