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.

have to trust Sister Miriam, who nods when I glance

able to contact your family and friends even in

Ward, child."

produces an archaic bronze key that glows with a subtle shimmer and inserts it into the door, which

fact that magic seems so natural around here already has us all feeling out of place and uneasy, and

check us in," Layla says in a monotone spiel that says she's said this same line

Vanessa, who gives a quick nod, before passing

portal from Blackwood lands to Sister

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Ava: The Fan Ward

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

It's green.

knig and maidens. Everything is just

landscape that's breathtaking. The Fae themselves are a sight to behold, a mix of modern and fantasy th has me gaping. A group

sunlight. And their ears? They're pointed. Just a little at the tip for some, and

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

sense. Like a sister world that

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

process the sheer absurdity of it all, half-expecting them to vanish in a puff of

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Ava: The Fae Ward

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wags in excitement. This place feels like home.

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

inhales the scents of the Fae

muses, a hint of nostalgia in her

her what she

glance over my shoulder to see Vanessa and Layla stepping through the portal, the

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

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

she declares my pack is mirrored by the looks on their faces. Silver Eyes exchanges a glance with his partner, before giving me a nod. "Very

beside me, her eyes wide as she takes in the sights and sounds of the Fae realm.

of Fae children plaving some kind of game involving glowing orbs that hover