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 Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?"

me."

There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever

know that?" I

15:58

217

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

goes silent for a moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in

my veins. "What do you mean? What have

hurry up," the voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time is running

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do

to any wolves," the speaker snarls,

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

I tell Kellan, who

the hell was that?" Jericho

my mind reeling. "But they know about my

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

my throat tight. This person

asks, her

to Sister Miriam

at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know.

with all of our unanswered

finally, my voice shaking.

do look dressed for the part,"

melts from the shadows. Her black 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 only seen an old

and Jericho are in front of me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps

curving in a smile

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You called me, did you

swallow hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I did, but I

my home?" She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have so much to

to Sister Miriam

his shoulders tense. "Who

am many things, wolf. But

+27

Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun

back of his shoulder. "She's here to

so am I.