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

look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake

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, and my heart skips a

know that?"

15:58

217

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon

my veins. "What do you mean? What have

voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time

is this? What do you

talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls,

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

won't talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a long

hell was that?" Jericho

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

hand through his hair, his expression grim.

throat tight. This person won't answer

about Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her

Ava: Going to Sister

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

heavy with all

just sit here," I say finally,

do look dressed for the part," a voice agree. tartling all of

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

front of me before I can blink, a wall of muscle

lips curving in a smile that's equal parts

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You

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

didn't come to my home?" She laughs, but it sounds

Going to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders

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

+27

Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun at

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

so am I.