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?"

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

any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who

me."

their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using.

you know that?"

15:58

217

Ava: Going to

almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject.

"What do you mean? What

repeats, ignoring n questions. "Time is

brow furrowed. "Who is

to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line goes

at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The

wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out

that?" Jericho

my mind reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said something about Lisa. Said she would be

grim. "For all we know, their safe is

This person won't answer questions, and knows too

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

Going to Sister Miriam

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

with all of our unanswered

can't just sit here," I say finally, my voice shaking.

dressed for the part," a voice agree.

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

front of me before I can blink, a wall of muscle and

brow, her ruby lips curving in a

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How did

any way to

one relaxes, even after hearing her identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag

my ribs. "I did, but

She laughs, but it sounds oddly

to Sister Miriam

shoulders tense.

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

+27

his hand twitching toward the

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

so am I.