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

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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?"

voice sighs, the sound harsh and grating through the phone's speaker. "You're taking too

their faces for any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?" I demand, my grip tightening on the phone.

me."

help you," the voice snaps, frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped

you know

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to Sister Miriam

absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the

"What do you mean? What

repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want with

to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and

my heart pounding. The candle flickers, casting eerie shadows across

talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs

that?"

I whisper, my mind reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said something

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

This person won't answer

Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice

Going to

the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she can't, or maybe

silence stretches, heavy with all of our

say finally, my voice shaking. "We have

dressed for the part," a

a cigarette holder dangling

a wall of

lips curving in a smile that's equal parts

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

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

against my ribs. "I did, but I thought it didn't

come to my home?" She laughs, but it sounds oddly

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

shoulders

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

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now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching

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

so am I.