Tangled

Unshift 220

Unshift 220

220 Ava: The Fae Ward (II)

"Oh. I understand." Glancing toward Sister Miriam, I'm not sure how to feel about being separated from my benefactor.

She inclines her head. "If at any time you wish to speak to me, just let the Fae know."

"I was under the impression you would be with us," Vanessa cuts in, suspicion written all over her face in giant, bold letters. "How are we supposed to trust whoever you're handing us to?" "You're still under her protection," Layla sighs. "She just can't come into the Fae Ward. For our sakes."

The gnome's gaze flicks to Vanessa and Marcus, and she mutters under her breath, "The paperwork for a bunch of pack wolves to get admitted in such circumstances is going to be a nightmare as it

is."

If your teacher is in the Fae Ward, we need to go there, Selene interjects, her tone firm. No matter what. That is why we are here.

Resting my hand on her head, I turn to Layla. "Will our phones still work in the Fae Ward?"

"Phones?" The gnome blinks at me, and for the first time I realize that her pupils are bare pinpricks, making her eyes seem even larger. Then those same eyes widen, and I swear for a moment that something sparkles within them. "Ah, telecommunication devices! Yes! They will still function."

There's an excitement in her words that almost buzzes from her, and Vanessa steps between us in a casual motion. "To send and

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220 Ava: The Fae Ward (1)

receive calls from outside the city?"

"Of course, of course. We worked that out aeons ago." Layla scoffs, as though our questions are over the top.

But-aeons?

Marcus frowns, and I grab his arm with a gentle squeeze, shaking

my head slightly. From how Layla speaks about phones, calling

them telecommunication devices, I don't think she's the one to give us the best information.

to trust Sister Miriam, who nods when I glance

family

Ward, child."

glows with a subtle shimmer and inserts it

out of place and

there, so I can check us in," Layla says in a monotone spiel that says she's

gives a quick nod, before passing through.

the portal from Blackwood lands

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The Fan Ward

walk into a medieval world that belongs in picture

It's green.

knig and maidens. Everything is just so much more, the sky more vas the colors more

mix of modern and fantasy th has me gaping. A

And their ears? They're pointed. Just a

are plenty of Fae in more natural colors-at least to my eyes -but it's like I've walked

a sense. Like a sister world that mirrors

men standing guard on either side of Marcus. They're taller than any of us, and dressed in brown leather armor that looks like it's been plucked straight out of a Robin Hood poster. Their hair is long and braided, and comfortingly brown. One has blue eyes that hold the chill of winter, and another has eyes so silver that a shiver goes down my back at how unnatural his gaze appears. My brain insists that he has to be blind, but it's very clear he is

brain struggles to process the sheer absurdity of it all, half-expecting them to

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Ava: The Fae Ward

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This place feels

can feel her joy through our bond, a warm glow that spreads from my chest to my toes. She takes

scents of the Fae

she muses, a hint of nostalgia in her

her what she means when I hear

stepping through the portal, the gnome walking briskly toward the Fae

his voice deep and commanding. He eyes us warily,

her throat, standing as tall as her diminutive stature will allow. "They are under the protection of Sister Miriam," she says, her voice surprisingly authoritative for someone so small. "I need to bring the to the Wizard's Tower. Ava Grey, Blackwood

the looks on their faces. Silver

her eyes wide as she takes in the sights

nod in agreement, my gaze drawn to a group of Fae children plaving some kind of