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?"

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

bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads. "Who are you?" I demand, my grip

me."

help you," the voice snaps, frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to their words, something that

you know that?" I

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to Sister Miriam Again

of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the

veins. "What do you mean? What have

hurry up," the voice repeats,

furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want

the speaker snarls, and

my heart pounding. The candle flickers,

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

that?" Jericho demands, his eyes

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

hair, his expression grim. "For all we

tight. This person won't answer questions, and knows

about Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft. "Why

to

flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she

with

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

for the part," a voice agree.

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

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

lips curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and danger. "Is

greet a guest, child?"

How

any way to

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

heart hammering against my ribs. "I did, but I thought it didn't

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

Going to Sister Miriam Again

shoulders tense. "Who

many things, wolf. But to you, I am an ally. For

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his hand twitching toward the gun

shoulder. "She's

so am I.