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

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

me."

distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using. "You've

you know

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217

Ava: Going to Sister

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

veins. "What do you mean? What

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

leans in, his brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you

talk to any wolves," the speaker

at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding.

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

that?" Jericho demands, his

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

a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "For all we know, their safe is just

person won't answer questions,

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

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I

stretches, heavy with all

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

do look dressed for the part,"

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

front of me before I can blink, a wall of

merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and danger. "Is

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

long drag from

hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I did, but I thought it

it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have

to Sister

shifts, his shoulders tense.

glittering. "I am many things, wolf.

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now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun at

shoulder. "She's

so am I.