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?"

harsh and grating

searching their faces for any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their

me."

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

you know that?" I

15:58

217

to Sister Miriam

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

"What do you

repeats, ignoring

furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want with

any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line

hand, my heart pounding. The candle

wolves," I tell Kellan, who huffs out

that?"

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

grim. "For

nod, my throat tight. This person won't answer questions, and knows too

her voice soft. "Why

Going to Sister Miriam Again

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

with all

say finally, my voice shaking. "We have

look dressed for the part," a voice agree. tartling all of

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 only seen an

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

her ruby lips curving

greet a guest, child?"

Miriam! How

any way to

her, she takes a long drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You

against my ribs. "I did, but I thought it

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

Ava: Going to Sister Miriam

his shoulders tense. "Who

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

+27

twitching toward

the back of his shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge "er that phone call,

so am I.