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?"

"That vampire was not real, she continues,

designed to sow fear and chaos within your

little faster to reach her side. "Who would

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

time."

you won't

you, wolf. No

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

belonged to a great warrior, a man who fought

worlds

hovering just above the cool metal. "How did you

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

a reminder of the vast chasm of experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the rest of us.

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

be the main foyer, where a peculiar

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 pigtails frame her pretty

before us, Vanessa mutters under 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

it's some

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

childlike stature.

flush with embarrassment,

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

clouds the woman's

I've never encountered a

never seen

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

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

17:19

The

her head in

her. "Layla, this is who we've

Blackwood Pack."

to protest, but close it at Sister

disgust. "Renard's little