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?"

grating through the phone's speaker.

understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while

me."

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

do you know that?"

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Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will

my veins. "What do you mean?

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

his brow furrowed. "Who is this?

talk to any wolves," the

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

won't talk to wolves," I tell Kellan,

that?" Jericho demands,

know about my powers, and they said something about Lisa.

expression grim. "For

This person won't answer

asks, her voice soft. "Why didn't she

Going to Sister Miriam

shake my head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she can't, or

silence stretches, heavy with all of

here," I say finally,

part," a voice

with mincing steps. 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 movie

of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward,

a brow, her ruby lips curving in a

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

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

swallow hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I

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

Ava: Going to

his shoulders tense. "Who

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

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growls, his hand twitching

"She's here to help." They're both on edge "er

so am I.