Tangled

Unshift 232

Unshift 232

232 Ava: Bursting In

"But I didn't do anything," I protest. "I just sat here."

"It doesn't matter," Vanessa says, just as Selene says the same thing in my head.

I swear I can hear a smile in my wolf's voice. Sometimes doing nothing is the hardest thing of all.

I look down at my hands, half expecting to see water droplets forming on my skin. But they look the same as always. "Did I really do it, though?"

I don't know. I'm not a wizard.

Pausing at that, I scowl at the air, since she's not near me. "Then

what was all that advice about?"

A hunch.

What the hell.

It worked, didn't it?

Can't really argue with that.

The door flies open with a resounding bang, and I nearly leap out of my skin. Before I can even process what's happening, Vanessa's between me and the entrance, her body coiled and ready to strike.

My heart's still racing when Magister Orion bursts in, his massive frame filling the doorway. But it's not his size that catches my attention this time. No, it's the tiny sparks of flame dancing above his head like a bizarre halo. I blink, wondering if I'm hallucinating.

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232 Ava: Bursting In

"Fire!" he roars, his voice booming through the room. "You touched fire!"

of his words has me flinching, but there's no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating

it! I knew you were special, Ava Grey! Do you have any idea

Sometimes months!"

reeling from the sudden intrusion. Marcus follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position in the corner. His face is impassive as

the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for her protective instincts, even if they

this time.

magical potential and rare talents when he suddenly stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it for the first time. The realization dawns on his face, and I watch as his expression

from excitement to mortification.

above his head. "My sincerest apologies, my lady!" Before I can even form a response, he's out the door, slamming it

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or

stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and I have

the situation.

carefully neutral. "How may we help

the booming enthusiasm of

let

somehow seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing

much as a by-your-leave. It was

quite sure how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part recognizes the genuine remorse in his

St Aubing b

to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand

still looking uncomfortable. "Yes, well, that's no excuse for such behavior. I assure

the room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus,

content to let me take

to break the tension, "about that

visibly restrains himself from launching into another excited tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss it in a more... appropriate setting? The library, perhaps?" I nod, relieved

of course," he says, backing towards the

door closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I say, looking at Vanessa and Marcus, "that

Vanessa supplies, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I never heard

mores."

have is contained in storybooks. We have very

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi