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.

trust Sister Miriam, who nods when I glance in

able to contact your family and friends

Ward, child."

hesitance, Layla produces an archaic bronze key that glows with a subtle shimmer and inserts it into the door, which swings open to reveal a shimmering golden

so natural around here already has us all feeling out of place and uneasy,

I can check us in," Layla says in a monotone

Vanessa, who gives a quick nod, before passing through. Then

from Blackwood lands

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Ava: The

an walk

It's green.

stories about knig and maidens. Everything is just so much more, the

and fantasy th has me gaping. A group of Fae women stroll by, their hair in shad of

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

more natural colors-at least to my

in a sense. Like a sister world that

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

sheer absurdity of it all, half-expecting them to vanish in

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The Fae

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place feels like

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

scents of the Fae realm.

hint of

about to ask her what she means when

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

says, his voice deep and commanding. He eyes us warily, his hand resting on the hilt

her voice surprisingly authoritative for someone so small. "I need

looks on their faces. Silver Eyes exchanges

Vanessa falls into step beside me, her eyes wide as she

drawn to a group of Fae children plaving some kind of game involving glowing orbs that