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?"

grating

around at 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?" I demand, my grip

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

do you know that?" I

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Going to Sister Miriam

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

do you

hurry up," the voice repeats,

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

the speaker

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

I tell Kellan, who huffs out a

the hell was that?" Jericho demands,

I whisper, my mind reeling. "But they know about my

hair, his expression grim. "For

This person won't answer questions, and knows

Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft.

to Sister Miriam Again

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

with all of our

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

do look dressed for the part," a

mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke curling toward the ceiling. Something I've only

wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward,

her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

drag from her cigarette, the

against my ribs. "I

it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You

to Sister

shoulders tense. "Who are

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

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growls, his hand twitching toward the gun at his

"She's here to help."

so am I.