Tangled

Unshift 224

Unshift 224

224 Ava The Fae Ward (V

224 Ava: The Fae Ward (VI)

"Magister Orion." A little concerned at how the strange man who claims to be my teacher will respond to my next words, I brace myself once more for the flood of emo..ons that might roll off him. *I understand your wish for me to stay here and learn from you, but it is impossible for me to stay here for as long as you wish. And with my wolf unable to tolerate your wards, it makes it even more impractical."

Wiw be fwine.

"No, it won't be."-

Magister Orion's brow furrows as he scrutinizes Selene, his gaze sharp and assessing. The air thickens with tension.

Finally, he turns to me, his expression unreadable.

"If you cannot remain here in the Fae Ward, Ava Grey, then it is my duty as your mentor to go where you go."

Layla and Tinker erupt into a chorus of protests, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of disbelief.

"Magister Orion, you can't be serious!" Layla exclaims, her eyes wide with shock. "Leaving the Fae Ward? Impossible. Your request would be rejected on the spot!"

Tinker nods vigorously, her mechanical wings fluttering in

agitation. "She's right, Magister. The Fae Ward is your domain. To leave its sanctuary is little better than," and her voice lowers to a whisper, "suicide!"

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224 Ava: The Fae Ward (VI)

But Magister Orion is unmoved by their objections. He rises to his full, imposing height, his voice booming like thunder. "Enough! This goes beyond convention. I will not leave my chance at a student behind." Watching the argument unfold, my stomach twists with unease. The idea of Magister Orion accompanying me back to the pack

lands fills me with dread.

If an incident were to occur, would we be able

worried glances, their postures tense and alert. I can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling with my own growing

my voice carefully measured. "Magister Orion, forgive me for asking, but how can you

wolves?"

are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What

nod slowly, trying to process his words. Having to use the word endure when thinking about spending

from time to time? Once a week?" The horror on his face has

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The

at my feet, her

sneezes once more.

"Three times?"

so easily taught, child. It's a daily exercise." He rubs between his eyebrows with a sigh. "If only the Crone's teachings weren't lost to us."

trying to warn me

witches of old." His voice resonates through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall. "They carried

settle in the air, heavy

someone I've never

Some few in the area even speak of

Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone were the names given to each priestess," Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone, "though none of

"Magister, you're too boring. Let me

lilac eyes sparkling. "You see, Ava, the Crone was the one to record the teachings

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994 as thetsVard (V)

realm when all the gods did, which is

is absolutely what she's going

Crone's book is still out there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find

a whip, cutting off her rambling, "Go do something

lecture are

actually found it

he ignores her scowl as she scurries away, her wings whirring. "Pay no mind to the vapid gnome, Ava Grey. Her conspiracies are nothing more than idle chatter