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?"

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

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

me."

words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've

you know

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to Sister Miriam

the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in safe hands. That should help your

do you mean?

the voice repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time is

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do

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

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

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

the hell was that?" Jericho

know about my powers,

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

my throat tight. This person won't answer questions, and knows too

about Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she

stretches, heavy with all of

just sit here," I say finally, my voice

look dressed for the part,"

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

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

arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright

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

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

to Sister

shoulders tense. "Who are

flicks to him, her eyes glittering. "I am many things, wolf. But to you, I

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twitching toward the gun

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

so am I.