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?"

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

a bewildered look,

me."

an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into your

you know that?" I

15:58

217

to Sister Miriam

silent for a moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker

"What do you mean? What have you done with

voice repeats, ignoring n

"Who is this? What do you want with

any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the

at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers, casting eerie shadows

talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a long breath, looking

was that?"

know about my powers, and

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

person won't answer questions,

Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft. "Why didn't

to

flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she

silence stretches, heavy with all of our unanswered

here," I say finally,

the part," a voice agree. tartling

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

I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace.

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

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

one relaxes, even after hearing her 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 you

ribs. "I did, but I thought it didn't

She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh,

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders tense. "Who

"I am many things, wolf. But to you,

+27

Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun at

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

so am I.