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.

you even know about it?"

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

sow fear and chaos

I trot a little faster to reach her

dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that I believe you will discover in

time."

you won't

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

of the mansion, I find myself drawn to the eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its

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

worlds

cool metal. "How did you come to

for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over

and knowledge that separates Sister

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

what appears to be the main foyer, where a

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 pigtails frame her pretty

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

Ava: The

some other

speculations, the woman in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a

childlike stature.

with embarrassment,

didn't mean to stare. I've

clouds the

never

never seen Vanessa

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

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 mutters

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Ava The Fan Ward

shaking her head

attention back to her. "Layla, this

Blackwood Pack."

open my mouth to protest, but close it at

nose scrunches in disgust. "Renard's little