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.

who nods when I glance in her

to contact your family and

Ward, child."

on, come on." Impatient now with our hesitance, Layla produces an archaic bronze key that glows

fact that magic seems so natural around here already has us all feeling out of place and uneasy, and Marcus steps forward without a word to

you get there, so I can check us in," Layla says in a monotone spiel that

glances toward Vanessa, who gives a quick nod,

from Blackwood lands

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Ava: The Fan Ward

museum-like mansion, there's an abrupt change, an walk into a medieval world

It's green.

in old, rambling stories about knig and maidens. Everything is just so

sight to behold, a mix of modern and fantasy th has me gaping. A group of Fae women stroll by, their

in the sunlight. And their ears? They're pointed. Just a little at the

in more natural colors-at least to my eyes -but

world, in a sense. Like a sister world that mirrors

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

the sheer absurdity of it all, half-expecting

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Ava: The

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excitement. This place feels like home. Like my

glow that spreads from my chest to my toes. She takes

of the

she muses, a hint of nostalgia in

to ask her what she means when I hear

see Vanessa and Layla stepping through the portal, the gnome walking briskly toward the Fae guards despite barely

and affiliations," one of the guards says, his voice deep and commanding. He eyes us warily, his hand resting on the hilt of a

clears 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,

mirrored by the looks on their faces. Silver

beside me, her eyes wide as she takes in the

to a group of Fae children plaving some kind of game involving