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

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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?"

sound harsh and grating through the phone's speaker. "You're

the others, searching their faces for any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?"

me."

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

know that?" I

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Going to Sister Miriam

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

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

the voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time is

brow furrowed. "Who is

to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line goes

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

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

was that?" Jericho demands, his eyes

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

his expression grim. "For all we know,

person won't answer questions, and

Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice

Going to

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

silence stretches, heavy with all

finally, my voice shaking. "We

for the part," a

There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke curling toward the ceiling.

me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace.

Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal parts

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of

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

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

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

his shoulders tense.

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

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growls, his hand twitching

shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge "er that phone call,

so am I.