Tangled

Unshift 252

Unshift 252

252 Ava: We Need Information

"Perhaps that is true for some vampires, Magister Orion concedes. "But for most of us, it is because of freedom. We do not wish to be regulated and numbered, at the whim of human demands, simply for being different. Those who breach the peace between the human world and that of Dakota Sanctuary are punished. Depending on the severity of their actions, some lose their lives. We have had some vampires put to the guillotine for feeding on nearby human

cities.

Fascinating.

in with you Lo

"But what does that have to circling back to the main topic.

"I am one of the few who advocate for increased trade and visitation between our city and the human realm." Magister Orion waves a hand around the room. "Very few of us wish to live within the Fae realm, under the rule of our kings. There is little freedom to be had under their tyranny. Here, we have equality, votes, and laws to protect us from the overreach of our leaders. Vampires and gnomes are treated as equals. However, our reliance on the Fae realm for food and magical items means that we are at the mercy of the Fae kings. Our freedom here is little more than an illusion.”

He slams a fist against the table. "I say, if we truly wish for freedom, we should establish connects with the human realm. We have things you do not. We can barter for food, even more land. We can be equals in this world, instead of living half in, and half out."

He sighs. "But that is heresy to many."

"Then why do you hate wolves so much, if you're willing to work with humans?" Vanessa asks, and I glance at her in surprise.

She's fascinated by everything he's saying, and I'd already forgotten about how he treated. Vanessa and Marcus when we first got here. "Lycans," and his lip curls before he shakes his head and sighs. "Ancient history, but prejudice is passed down in our history books." "But what happened between wolves and Fae?"

Magister Orion waves a hand. "It is

or vampires willingly work with the import in this situation. Suffice to say, very few Fae

freedom to work as human dogs."

they're traitors, giving

second, glancing between Vanessa and Marcus. "No offense

leaders of the city are

cause." He spreads his hands with a shrug. "However, to call them my

rubbing the bridge of my nose as I try to think. "Wouldn't they

252 Ava: V

We Need Information

families, yes. But that doesn't mean all of them. I would

time, speaks up. "I can contact Layla

every attack, and lists of victims. We must organize the information we have. And see what Florice has been working on lately." "Yes, sir!" Tinker salutes, her mechanical

giant puzzle without a reference picture. My

I have to grip the arms of the chair

a cool hand on my forehead. "Your fever's getting worse," she murmurs. "We need

of my impending heat adds another layer of complication to an already impossible situation. I feel tears of frustration prick at my eyes, but I

don't have the luxury of being

the outside world safely? We need contact Sister Miriam and Selene, see what they know. With the city up in arms, coming back might not be easy.

Sister Miriam, it's possible. I can't guarantee how quickly we

brain immediately jumping to the internet and message boards. "Indeed. He smiles. "How do you think we

cell phones-outrageously expensive, easy to break, and needing to be upgraded every few years for fear of becoming obsolete in the

The Fac?

They have magic balls.

think of a

these are actually made of

touching it with one finger. It looks like lightning dancing in its depths, and a ribbon of it reaches out

Can't even feel it." She places her entire palm on it, and several arcs of lightning

Ava: Wo Need

+17

swirling gray smoke. It's mesmerizing, like watching storm