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

feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling

voice carefully measured. "Magister Orion, forgive me for

wolves?"

eyes flash with an emotion I can't quite decipher-anger? Resentment? Something else entirely? "My personal feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What

to use the word endure when thinking about spending time with

see you from time to time? Once a week?" The horror on

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at my feet, her discomfort palpable

sneezes once more.

"Three times?"

eyebrows with a sigh. "If only the Crone's teachings weren't lost to us." "Crone's?" This is a new word,

me of the importance

through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall.

Orion's words settle in the air, heavy with the weight of lost

someone I've never heard of;

raised with the Moon Goddess. And for humans, it's usually God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah, but

Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone, "though none of them were mothers, and none of them were old enough

"Magister, you're too boring. Let me

Ava, the Crone was the one to record the teachings and knowledge of the

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994 as thetsVard (V)

from the earthly realm when all the gods did, which is considered the beginning of the downfall of magic"

sounds ominous, which is absolutely what

whisper. "Some say the Crone's book is still out there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find it. Others believe it was destroyed, lost forever.

cracks like a whip, cutting off her

woman pouts. "But Magister, your lecture are so dry!

actually found it

hand, he ignores her scowl as she scurries