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

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

me."

words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've tapped into your power," the voice continues, and

do you know

15:58

217

Ava: Going to

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

veins. "What do you mean? What have you

the voice repeats,

brow furrowed. "Who is this?

any wolves," the

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

they won't talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a long breath,

that?" Jericho

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

expression grim. "For all we know, their safe is just

This person won't answer questions, and

Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft.

to Sister Miriam

the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe

silence stretches, heavy with all of

say finally, my voice shaking. "We have to

for the part," a

her figure, and she walks with mincing steps. There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke curling toward

are in front of me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward, her gentle face set in

merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

her identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag

heart hammering against my ribs. "I did,

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

Going to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders tense. "Who are

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

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twitching toward

"She's here to help." They're

so am I.