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?"

harsh and grating through the phone's speaker.

of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake

me."

that doesn't translate through whatever

you know that?"

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to Sister Miriam

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

"What do you

the voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time

is this? What do you

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

phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers, casting

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

the hell was that?" Jericho

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

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

person won't answer questions, and knows too

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

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

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

silence stretches, heavy with all of

here," I say finally, my voice shaking. "We

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

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

curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and danger.

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

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

my ribs. "I did, but I thought it didn't

laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate.

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

his shoulders tense. "Who

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

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

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

so am I.