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.

did you even know about it?" Marcus

vampire was not real, she continues,

illusion designed to sow fear and

to reach her side. "Who would do something like

her head. "That, my dear, is a question with a

time."

you won't

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

artifacts on display. A

to a great warrior, a man who fought alongside

worlds

out, my fingertips hovering just above the cool metal. "How did

a knack for acquiring

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

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

be the main foyer,

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 of a woman well into her forties,

in our steps, taken aback by the sight before us, Vanessa mutters under her breath, her medical knowledge kicking into gear as she attempts to

Ava: The Fae Ward

some other

speculations, the woman in question speaks in exasperation. "Haven't you ever seen a

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with

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

the

never encountered a

seen Vanessa

over her chest. "Well, now you have. And

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

17:19

Ava The

her head in

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

Blackwood Pack."

my mouth to protest, but close it at Sister

in disgust.