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218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

Traveling with a vampire is a lot less mystical than I expect. (1)

It’s nothing like whatever fueled my magic travel to her home. There is no endless darkness, nor an expanse of red that blots out the existence of everything else. There’s no sense of travel, no sense of suffocation.

Instead, Sister Miriam spreads an arm, and a shimmering gate appears before us, silvery–black and swirling on the inside.

“Since your guards are so wary, I shall allow one of them to go first. Then me. Then you, Ava, and the last guard. This gate will disperse after the last, or after thirty seconds. It’s your choice.”

Her warning is clear: Either come with her, or don’t, but the choice

is mine.

“Got it.”

Marcus steps forward without a word, giving me a brusque nod before walking through the magical vortex, as tense as a man walking to his execution. He draws his gun before entering, and Sister Miriam says nothing, only allowing an amused twitch of her. lips.

Before Sister Miriam enters, she glances toward Jericho. “That wolf who died, screaming about a vampire in the Blackwood territory. What was her name? Marjory?”

Kellan steps between them. “How do you know about-”

She shakes her head. “That vampire never existed. When you go

17:18

218 Ava Embracing Chango (II)

through your investigation, remember that. He never existed,

Think of my advice as a free favor from a friend. It would have been a costly one.” She winks in a way that should come across playful, but looks awkward on her not–quite–in–sync features, before stepping through the gate.

“I–damn it, she’s gone. Ava, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I’m leaving. Marcus is already on the other side. I have my phone. I’ll call you as soon as I’m there.” Feeling terrible for ignoring Kellan’s plight, I dash through the portal, hoping I’m making the right decision.

Vanessa’s right behind me, giving me a warm sense of safety as I step through, prepared to feel some sort of otherworldly traveling experience.

But there’s nothing.

One second ago, I was in my room.

Now, I’m in the middle of another room. It’s large, with no furniture at all. Only Sister Miriam and Marcus are there.

There are no windows, only a ridiculous amount of lamps in various styles. Some look like street lamps. Others are more sleek, and modern. Some look like bizarre art deco styles that make no reasonable sense to exist as a lamp versus an art piece.

“Welcome to the First Ward of Dakota Sanctuary, Ava Grey.” Sister Miriam’s eyes crinkle. “Was it that terrible?”

“Not at all.”

Stepping forward, my boots thud against the smooth hardwood

17:18

218 Ava: Embracing Change (11)

floor, echoing in the near–empty space, save for all the lamps. There’s a faint scent of citrus and spice, something cozy and fall–feeling, that settles my nerves. Marcus is at my side in an instant, his eyes sweeping over me with the efficiency of a trained bodyguard.

“You good?” His gruff voice is laced with concern.

I nod, offering a small smile. “I’m fine. Just… processing.”

Vanessa moves past us, her gaze locked on the array of lamps scattered throughout the room. Her fingertips graze the surface of a particularly ornate piece, a wistful expression on her face. “I had one just like this when I was a kid. It sat on my bedside table.”

Sister Miriam tilts her head, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Collecting things is a personal hobby of mine. I find joy in surrounding myself with objects that hold meaning or beauty.”

Images of the bookshelves in Sister Miriam’s home flash through my mind–row upon row of books, antique editions mingling with modern paperbacks. The sheer volume of knowledge contained within those pages is staggering.

“How many homes do you have?” The question slips out before I can stop it, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Sister Miriam waves a dismissive hand. “Oh, who keeps track of such a thing?”

Vanessa catches my eye, and we both grin. Who doesn’t keep track

of their houses?

Who even has the money to lose track of how many properties

they own?

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218 Ava Embracing Change (II)

Sister Miriam lives in a very different world than we do, and it has nothing to do with a shifter versus vampire mentality.

The portal behind us doesn’t disappear, and Marcus frowns at it. “I thought it would dissipate after we entered?”

“Only the temporary gate on the other side. This one is permanent. You can touch it when it isn’t activated.”

Sister Miriam strides forward with confidence, reaching over to rap against the swirling gray–black smoke within the portal. Her knuckles ring against what sounds like glass, and Marcus leans forward to touch it, looking doubtful. Then his eyebrows raise in surprise, his hand sliding over the surface.

Sister Miriam laughs. “Many old vampires have acquired their own portals over the years.”

Marcus mutters under his breath, “Well, that explains how they’ve been able to travel into pack lands so easily.”

Sister Miriam inclines her head. “A simple question in my direction would have saved you a lot of time and trouble.”

Marcus looks stunned by the revelation, his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully, her brow furrowed as she processes this new information.

Sister Miriam leads us out of the room, and Lean’t help but marvel at the sheer size of the mansion we’ve stepped into. It’s like

walking through a museum, with clusters of collected items

displayed on every available surface. Antique vases mingle with modern art sculptures, while vintage photographs hang alongside abstract paintings.

17:18

416

218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

We have a lot to learn from this Sister Miriam, Selene murmurs.

We do, and–oh, shit, I didn’t call Kellan. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Hold on.” Fumbling my phone out of its pocket, I see several texts from Kellan, with increasing exclamation marks after his question marks.

Vanessa peers over my shoulder as Sister Miriam waits patiently. “Oh, he’s upset.”

་་

“I said I’d call–damn, we were all so caught up in…” my voice trails off as I call him. He answers mid–ring.

“Aya! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why do you sound so worried?” Glancing at Vanessa, who looks more amused than anything, I add, “I’m sorry I didn’t call

right away. We were… distracted. It’s interesting here. Like a

museum.”

“That’s fine. It’s fine. As long as you’re all okay.” Kellan blows out a loud breath. “We tried calling you, but it wouldn’t go through. I thought that damn bloodsucker lied.”

“I can hear you,” Sister Miriam calls out, a mocking lilt to her words.

“I thought Sister Miriam lied,” he corrects himself. He must be talking through his teeth, the way his words are ground out.

She sighs. “Typical wolf. Thinking the worst. No, I did not lie. However, outside services cannot dial within. Once you’re in the city, you have access to our…” An elegant hand waves above her head in a vague gesture.

218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

“Towers?” Vanessa offers.

“Yes. Those monstrosities that destroy our horizons. You will be able to contact anyone you wish, and from what I’ve heard, the occasional text message will get through. But phone calls rarely do.*

“Got.it.” I’ll have to be a lot more careful about remembering to call people. Maybe I should set alarms on my phone. I always seem to forget about important things when I’m distracted by what’s in front of me.

I think the humans call it ADHD.

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