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

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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

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

me."

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 voice

you know that?" I

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to

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

you mean? What have you

up," the voice repeats,

his brow furrowed. "Who is

wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line

heart pounding. The candle flickers, casting eerie shadows

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

was that?" Jericho

about my

expression grim.

person won't answer questions, and

Vanessa asks, her

Going to Sister Miriam

head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I

stretches, heavy with all of our

just sit here," I say finally, my voice shaking.

part," a voice agree. tartling all of

shadows. Her black dress clings to her figure, and she walks with mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line

can blink, a wall of

Sister Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag

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

didn't come to my home?" She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava.

to Sister

shoulders tense.

Miriam's gaze flicks to him, her eyes glittering. "I am many things, wolf.

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hand twitching toward the

of his shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge "er that phone call,

so am I.