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?"

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

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

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,"

know that?" I

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to Sister Miriam Again

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

my veins. "What do you mean? What have you done with

repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time

"Who is this? What do

any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the

stare at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers,

wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out

that?" Jericho demands, his

my mind reeling. "But they know about my powers,

hand through his hair, his expression grim. "For all we

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

about Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her

Ava: Going to

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

with all of

say finally, my voice shaking. "We have to

the part,"

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 of smoke curling toward

can blink, a wall of muscle and menace.

lips curving in a smile that's equal parts

greet a guest, child?"

How did

any way to

she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room.

heart hammering against my ribs. "I did,

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

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

shoulders tense. "Who

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

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twitching

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

so am I.