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

:

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 it?" Marcus

not

illusion designed to sow fear

little faster to reach

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

time."

won't answer

you, wolf. No matter what price is

to the eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its blade etched

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

worlds

fingertips hovering just above the cool metal. "How did

I have a knack for acquiring rare and

The word hangs in the air, a reminder of 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

if reading my

the main foyer, where a peculiar group awaits

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

into gear as she attempts to rationalize the woman's unique proportions. "Not warfism," she whispers, her brow furrowed

Ava: The Fae

some

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

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with embarrassment, and

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

clouds the woman's

mean, I've never encountered a

seen

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

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,

17:19

The

shaking her

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

Blackwood Pack."

open my mouth to protest, but close it at Sister Miriam's sharp

in disgust. "Renard's little