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. "You're

exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?"

me."

frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that

know

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Ava: Going to Sister

deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in safe hands.

veins. "What do you mean? What have you done

voice repeats, ignoring n

brow furrowed. "Who is this?

to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and

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

wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a long breath, looking

was that?" Jericho demands, his

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

grim. "For all we know, their safe

This person won't answer questions, and knows

Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice

Ava: Going to Sister

head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't

stretches, heavy with all

I say finally, my voice shaking. "We have to do

do look dressed for the part," a voice

Miriam 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

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

Sister Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in

greet a guest, child?"

How did

any way to

hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You

against my ribs. "I did, but I thought it

laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have so much

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

shoulders tense. "Who are

eyes glittering. "I am many things, wolf.

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twitching toward the gun at

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

so am I.