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.

even know

"That vampire was not real, she continues, her voice low and serious.

to sow fear and chaos within your

I trot a little faster to

her head. "That, my dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that I believe you

time."

you won't

things I cannot tell you, wolf. No

myself drawn to the eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its blade etched with intricate runes that seem to shimmer

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

worlds

above the cool metal. "How did you

for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over the centuries,

and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the rest of us. I can't even begin to imagine the things she's seen, the

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

what appears to be the main foyer,

of them bear a striking resemblance to the thralls who served me during 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

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

The Fae Ward

some other

question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone

childlike stature.

with embarrassment, and

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

clouds the

I've never encountered a

seen Vanessa so

you have. And I'd

gnomes, of course. Even my mother has one in her 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

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Ava The Fan Ward

her head in

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

Blackwood Pack."

but close it at Sister Miriam's

in disgust. "Renard's little