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!"

in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he

Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how long

Sometimes months!"

the sudden intrusion. Marcus follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position in the corner. His face is impassive as ever, but there's a hint of amusement in

to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for

this time.

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

from excitement to mortification.

in a stammer, his face flushed as red as the fire dancing above his head. "My sincerest apologies, my lady!" Before I can even form a response, he's out the door, slamming it behind him with

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

to process what just happened. Did that

Vanessa moves to answer it, and I have to

the situation.

says, her voice carefully neutral. "How may we

the booming enthusiasm of moments ago. Vanessa glances back, catching my eye, and I can see she's struggling to keep a straight face. "Of

let him

face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head

I must offer my sincerest apologies for intruding upon your personal chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override my manners, and for that, I am truly

contrast to his earlier behavior that I'm not quite sure how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part recognizes the

St Aubing b

to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about

uncomfortable. "Yes, well, that's no excuse for such

over the room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on how to proceed, but

let me

to break the tension, "about

course. Perhaps we could

he says, backing towards the door. "I'll

the door closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I

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

mores."

have is contained in

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi