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?"

grating through the phone's speaker. "You're taking too

for any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their

me."

to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into your power," the voice continues, and my heart

you know that?"

15:58

217

Ava: Going to

abruptly, the speaker changes

my veins. "What do you mean? What have you

up," the voice repeats, ignoring

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do

talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line goes

stare at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle

said they won't talk to wolves," I tell Kellan,

that?" Jericho demands, his

about my powers, and they said

a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "For all we know, their safe is just another

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

Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft. "Why didn't she

Going to

flame. "I don't know. Maybe she can't, or maybe

with

sit here," I say finally, my voice shaking. "We have

dressed for the part," a

There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line

me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward, her gentle face set in

Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and danger.

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness

my ribs. "I did, but

home?" She laughs, but it

to Sister

shifts, his shoulders tense.

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

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now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward

shoulder. "She's here

so am I.