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?"

voice sighs, the sound harsh and grating through the phone's

Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply

me."

help you," the voice snaps, frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that doesn't translate

know

15:58

217

Going to

almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes the subject. "Lisa will soon be in safe hands. That should help your

"What do you mean? What have you done with

repeats,

in, his brow furrowed. "Who is this?

won't talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the

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

talk to wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out a long breath, looking

the hell was that?" Jericho demands, his

they know about my powers, and they said something about Lisa. Said she would be

a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "For

person won't answer questions, and

her voice soft. "Why

Going to Sister

shake my head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't

stretches, heavy with all of

finally, my

for the part," a voice agree. tartling all

shadows. Her black 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 curling toward the ceiling. Something I've

wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps forward, her

arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You called me, did you

against my ribs. "I did,

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

Going to

his shoulders tense. "Who

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

+27

twitching toward the

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

so am I.