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?"

"That vampire was not real, she continues, her voice

illusion designed to sow fear and chaos within

why?" Confused, I trot a little faster to

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

time."

won't answer

you, wolf. No

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

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

worlds

my fingertips hovering just above the cool metal. "How did you come

have a knack for acquiring rare and

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, the secrets she

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

be the main foyer, where a peculiar

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

her breath, her medical knowledge kicking into gear as she attempts to rationalize the woman's unique proportions. "Not

The Fae Ward

it's some other

can continue her speculations, the woman in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever

childlike stature.

flush with embarrassment, and she

to stare. I've

clouds the

I've never encountered a gnome

seen

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

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

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The

shaking her

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

Blackwood Pack."

to protest, but close it at Sister

nose scrunches in disgust. "Renard's little