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.

proven animosity toward the wolves. If an incident were to occur, would we be

their postures tense and alert. I can feel their apprehension

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

wolves?"

feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What matters is the greater purpose. If teaching you requires me to

slowly, trying to process his words. Having to use the word endure

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

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feet, her discomfort palpable

sneezes once more.

"Three times?"

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

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 great weight on the shoulders of three priestesses who stood with the Goddess of Life, who gifted her

words settle in the air, heavy

Goddess of Life is someone I've never heard of;

God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah, but my father

given to each priestess," Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone, "though none of them were mothers, and

"Magister, you're too boring. Let me explain

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

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all the gods did,

ominous, which is absolutely what she's

her 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 it. Others believe

Magister Orion's voice cracks like a whip, cutting off her rambling, "Go

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

actually found it

us enjoy the pursuit of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand, he ignores her scowl as she scurries away, her wings