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?"

sighs, the sound harsh and grating through the

others, searching 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

me."

There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into your power," the voice continues,

do you know that?"

15:58

217

Going to

abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in safe hands. That should

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

hurry up," the voice repeats, ignoring

his brow furrowed. "Who is this?

any wolves," the speaker snarls, and

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

talk to wolves," I tell Kellan,

that?" Jericho demands,

reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said

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

throat tight. This person

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

Ava: Going to Sister

my head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she can't,

with all of our

sit here," I say finally,

the part," a voice agree. tartling

with mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her

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

her ruby lips curving in a

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

hearing her identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of

against my ribs. "I did, but I

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

to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders tense. "Who are

"I am many things, wolf. But to you, I

+27

twitching toward

say, stepping forward to touch the back of his shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge "er that phone

so am I.