Tangled

Unshift 215

Unshift 215

215 Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again (1)

The candle wick flickers to blazing life. Marcus and Liam's hands are heavy on my shoulders, grounding me as Adam and Vanessa complete the chain. Selene's fur brushes my leg, a s nt reminder of her presence.

I focus on Sister Miriam, on my desperate need to understand... everything.

My powers. The city. These phone calls. Steve. The Fae. The Moon Goddess. Lisa. And that damned Mad Prince.

The flame flickers, casting eerie shadows across the faces of those gathered around me. I close my eyes, picturing Sister Miriam's enigmatic smile, her ruby eyes glittering with secrets. Sister Miriam, I need you.

I hold my breath, waiting for the rush of magic, the dizzying sensation of being transported across space and time.

But nothing happens.

I open my eyes, blinking in confusion. We're still in my room, surrounded by the trappings of my everyday life. Kellan and

Jericho exchange a glance, their expressions a mix of curiosity and

concern.

"When's it supposed to happen?" Kellan asks, his brow furrowing.

A sinking feeling takes hold of my gut. "I don't know. It worked before."

Staring at the candle, I whisper Sister Miriam's name, each syllable

15:00 C

215 Ava Gloing to Sistor Miriam Again (1)

a desperate plen. "Sister Miriam. Ster Miriam, please"

The silence stretches, broken only by my harsh breathing. Selene presses closer to my leg,

I'm about to try again when my phone rings, the sudden sound making us all jump. I fumble for it, my hands shaking as I see the unknown number on the screen.

"Hello?" My voice cracks, betraying my nerves.

"Are you an idiot?" a robotic voice demands. "T ng to access your power now could kill everyone around you!"

Jericho and Kellan stare intently at the phone, and I put it on speaker.

"Who is this?"

and grating through the phone's speaker.

a bewildered look, while

me."

words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into

you know that?"

15:58

217

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes

you mean? What have you done

to hurry up," the voice repeats, ignoring

is this? What do you

talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls,

hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers,

talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who

was that?" Jericho

reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said something about Lisa. Said she

his expression grim. "For all we know, their safe is just another

my throat tight. This person won't answer questions, and knows

Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

head, staring at the candle's flickering flame.

silence stretches, heavy with all

say finally, my voice shaking. "We

look dressed for the part," a voice agree.

dress clings to her figure, and she walks with mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke curling toward the ceiling. Something I've

can blink, a wall of muscle and

curving

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

after hearing her identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her

my heart hammering against my ribs. "I did, but I thought

you didn't come to my home?" She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have so

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

his shoulders tense. "Who are

him, her eyes glittering. "I am many things, wolf. But to you,

+27

now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward

back of his shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge

so am I.