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 about it?"

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

clever illusion designed to sow fear and chaos within

faster to reach her side. "Who would do

"That, my dear, is a question with a complicated answer. One that I

time."

you won't answer

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

artifacts on display. A gleaming sword catches my eye, its

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

worlds

above the cool metal.

"Let's just say that I have a knack for acquiring rare and valuable items. Over the centuries, I've amassed quite

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

as if reading my thoughts. "There is so much more for you to discover,

main foyer, where a peculiar group

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

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

The

some other

you ever seen a gnome before?" Her tone is

childlike stature.

cheeks flush with embarrassment, and

to stare. I've never even

clouds the woman's

never encountered a gnome

never seen Vanessa so

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

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,

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Ava The Fan Ward

her head in

our attention back to her. "Layla, this is

Blackwood Pack."

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

disgust. "Renard's little