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 phone's speaker. "You're

understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam

me."

evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through

know that?"

15:58

217

Going to Sister

Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa

do you mean?

to hurry up," the voice repeats, ignoring n questions.

brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want with

any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the

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

I tell Kellan, who huffs out a

the hell was that?" Jericho demands,

don't know," I whisper, my mind reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said something

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

tight. This person

her

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't

with all of

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

the part," a voice agree. tartling all

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

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

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

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

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

my ribs. "I did, but I

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

to Sister

shifts, his shoulders tense. "Who are

am many things, wolf. But to

+27

hand twitching toward the

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

so am I.