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.

you even know

Miriam sighs. "That vampire was not real, she

to sow

to

with a complicated answer. One that I believe you

time."

you won't

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

eclectic mix of artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches

great warrior, a man who fought alongside the Fae in

worlds

cool metal. "How

knack for acquiring

vast chasm of experience and knowledge that separates Sister Miriam from the rest of us. I can't

as if reading my thoughts. "There is so much

appears to be the main foyer, where a peculiar group

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 six-year-old child. Despite her youthful stature, her face reveals the maturity

aback by the sight 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

some other

ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone is deep and fully matured, a

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with

rudeness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I've never even of gnomes.

clouds the woman's

never encountered a

seen Vanessa

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

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,

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Ava The Fan Ward

her head

throat, drawing our attention back to her. "Layla, this is who

Blackwood Pack."

my mouth to protest, but close it at Sister

disgust. "Renard's little runaway