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

alert. I can feel their apprehension

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

wolves?"

Something else entirely? "My personal feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What matters is

endure when thinking about spending time with

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

16:43

206

Ava: The

shifts restlessly at my feet, her discomfort palpable

sneezes once more.

"Three times?"

"If only the Crone's teachings weren't lost to us." "Crone's?" This is a new word, but something deep within me

to warn me of the

The 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

settle in the air, heavy with the

someone I've never heard of; as

Some few in the area even

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

"Magister, you're too boring.

sparkling. "You see, Ava, the Crone was the one to record the teachings and knowledge

16:43

3/8

994 as thetsVard (V)

ancient book passed down through the ages to their human successors. But the Crone disappeared from the earthly realm when all the gods did, which is considered the beginning of the downfall of magic" The

ominous, which is absolutely

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 it was destroyed,

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

lecture are so dry! Nobody wants to

actually found it quite

of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand, 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