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

a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?" I demand, my grip tightening on

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

you know that?" I

15:58

217

Going to Sister

moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa

veins. "What do you mean?

voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time is running

"Who is this? What do you want with

won't talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls,

hand, my heart

to wolves," I tell

hell was that?" Jericho demands, his eyes

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

his expression grim. "For all we know, their

person won't answer

Vanessa asks, her voice soft.

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

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

heavy with all of our unanswered

finally, my

dressed for the part," a

mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of

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

curving in a

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

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

hammering against my ribs. "I did, but

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

to

shifts, his shoulders

flicks to him, her eyes glittering. "I am many

+27

now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun

I say, stepping forward to touch the back of his shoulder. "She's

so am I.