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?"

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

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

me."

distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter

do you know that?"

15:58

217

Ava: Going to

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

do you mean? What have you done with

repeats,

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What

wolves," the speaker snarls,

heart pounding. The candle

said they won't talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a

was that?" Jericho demands, his eyes

"But they know about my powers, and they said something about Lisa. Said she would be

grim.

This person won't

asks, her

Ava: Going to Sister

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

stretches, heavy with all of our

can't just sit here," I say finally, my voice shaking. "We have

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

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

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

Sister Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and danger.

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

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

my ribs.

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

Going to Sister

shoulders tense.

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

+27

twitching

of his shoulder. "She's here to

so am I.