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!"

IS 43

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.

wolves. If an incident were to occur, would we be

can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves,

breath, I turn to Magister Orion, my voice carefully measured. "Magister Orion, forgive me for asking, but how can you handle being on pack

wolves?"

Resentment? Something else entirely? "My personal feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What matters is the greater purpose. If teaching you requires me to endure the presence of wolves, then

the word endure when thinking about spending time with a pack doesn't sound

I simply travel to see you from time to time? Once a week?" The

16:43

206

The Fae

at my feet, her discomfort palpable

sneezes once more.

"Three times?"

a sigh. "If only the Crone's teachings weren't lost to

trying to warn me of the importance of

taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall. "They carried great weight on the shoulders of three priestesses who stood with the Goddess of Life, who gifted her believers

words settle in the air, heavy with

is someone I've

Moon Goddess. And for humans, it's usually God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah, but my father forbade me from learning more

Mother, and the Crone were the names given to each priestess," Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his

boring. Let me explain it to

her lilac eyes sparkling. "You see, Ava, the Crone was

16:43

3/8

994 as thetsVard (V)

the Crone disappeared from the earthly realm when all the gods did, which is considered the beginning

is

voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Some say the Crone's book is still out there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find

whip, cutting off her rambling,

woman pouts. "But Magister, your lecture are so dry! Nobody wants to listen

actually found

enjoy the pursuit of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand, he ignores her scowl as she scurries away, her wings whirring. "Pay no mind to