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?"

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

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

me."

frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into your power,"

do you know

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Going to Sister

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

"What do you mean? What have you

the voice repeats, ignoring n questions.

his brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want

the speaker snarls, and the line

at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers,

to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a

that?" Jericho demands,

know about my powers, and

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

This person won't answer questions, and knows too

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

Going to

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

heavy with all of our unanswered

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

part," a voice agree. tartling all of

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

wall of muscle and

her ruby lips curving in a

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

long drag from

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

She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava.

to Sister

shifts, his shoulders tense. "Who

many

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his hand twitching toward the gun at

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

so am I.