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

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

me."

help you," the voice snaps, 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," the

you know

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to Sister

goes silent for a moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in

veins. "What do you

repeats, ignoring

leans in, his brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want with

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

heart pounding. The

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

hell was that?" Jericho demands,

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

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

nod, my throat tight. This person won't answer questions,

her voice soft.

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

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

heavy with all of our

sit here," I say finally, my voice

for the part,"

steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke

me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward, her gentle face set in lines of

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

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You called me, did

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

it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have so

Going to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders tense. "Who are

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

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hand twitching

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

so am I.