Tangled

Unshift 223

Unshift 223

223 Ava: The Fae Ward (V)

223 Ava: The Fae Ward (V)

Magister Orion storms around, his heavy footsteps shaking the floorboards. Agitation rolls off him in waves as he gesticulates wildly. "Absurd! Your magic is a part of you, girl. It's not some accessory you can cast aside when it's inconvenient!"

Marcus steps forward, pulling me behind him in a protective stance. His eyes narrow as he watches Magister Orion's erratic pacing.

Layla darts between us, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Magister, please calm yourself. We don't want a repeat of the last time you set the library on fire."

Tinker groans, her mechanical wings drooping. "It took a decade to duplicate all those ruined books. Please, Magister. Let's not go through that again."

Magister Orion freezes, a sheepish expression crossing his face. He takes a deep breath, his shoulders slumping as he turns to me. "My apologies, Ava. I let my passion get the better of me." He sighs, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. "I must confess, I had an ulterior motive in agreeing to teach you. I had hoped that once you were introduced to our world, you might choose to stay here as my student. You see, the magic we share is dying out. It's been centuries since I've found someone to teach."

Glancing at the books flying in the air, lazily flapping their pages like wings, a frown tugs at the corners of my lips. "How is that possible? There's magic everywhere here."

He shakes his head, his eyes wrinkling at the corners with sadness

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223 Ava, The Fae Ward (V)

and the harsh passage of time. Centuries, he said. Centuries. I can't imagine being alive so long. Just like Sister Miriam, he's lived a life I

can't fathom.

"The magic of the Fae and the magic that humans can wield are separate entities. They come from different sources, follow different rules."

"I don't understand. How-"

Magister Orion cuts me off with another shake of his head. "It's a long and complicated history, one we don't have time for now." His gaze shifts to Vanessa and Marcus, his nose wrinkling in disdain. "Are these the pack you speak of?"

He smells like a burning forest when he looks at them, Selene observes. There must be a history there. Fae can be hostile to any non-Fae, but this goes beyond that.

Anyone with eyes can see that Magister Orion has no respect for them, but I wonder at the history behind his dissatisfaction with their presence.

Still, feeling the frustrated tension in the two who followed me here, it feels dirty to hear how he speaks to them. Not wanting it to go on any longer, I wait until his eyes once again meet mine, leaving my face blank, trying to imagine myself as someone stern and unyielding.

comes to mind is my mother's face, a vision

soul cringe from the baggage that comes with it, even as I can feel my face settle into the

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The Tas

myself for his reaction, at the possibility that my demands will cause friction between me and the man I'm hoping can keep

we have an issue that needs

wing up in surprise. "An issue?

and I take two attempts to clear my throat before continuing. Confrontation has never been my strong

your protection. However, Marcus and Vanessa have been my steadfast protectors. Your attitude toward them and my pack is concerning. Regardless of any history between shifter and Fae, mutual respect is

presence beside me relaxes, and Vanessa takes a step closer to my side. Their approval of my words is

tasked to keep me safe even at the cost of their own lives. Finally, he grunts, throwing his head back to stare at the endless expanse of this strange cottage-tower above him. "Very well, Ava Grey.

at me, her mouth open in

as wide as they can be. Knowing that

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Ava: The Fae Ward

them, that she's expressing her emotions through them so fluidly. I wonder if she even notices when she

thoughtfully. Though, it could even be longer. Time can flow differently in

An hour is an hour. Except,

certain, either. The Fae Realm

secrets.

Interesting.

toe-to-toe with Marcus. Despite dwarfing him in physical size, Marcus' sheer level of iron will has his presence holding its own against the Fae's. Magister Orion leans in to inspect Marcus' face, before finally giving a slow, approving nod.

"Marcus," Tinker hisses.

Magister Orion scowls at his tiny winged secretary, before turning to Vanessa. He doesn't move, only inspecting her from afar, before giving another nod.

promise he's like that with everyone. So it isn't discrimination, just all-around

gnome woman, drawing himself to his full height.

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4/6

The Fae Ward

cuts in, ignoring his immediate deflation. She smiles at me, with an edge of desperation. "Please don't let his personality deter you from his teaching. We all gave up on him centuries ago, and it's only made him

to get a read on the man. He's

Fae are an

sneezes again, catching everyone's attention. This time it's five desperate ah-choos in a row,

okay?" Vanessa

I'b pfine.

fine, but it's even affecting her voice up here."

leans further into her caresses, milking the situation