Tangled

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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!"

mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues, words tumbling out in a

I knew you were special, Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees to

Sometimes months!"

Marcus follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up

relaxes her defensive stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but

this time.

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

from excitement to mortification.

out 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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

process what just happened. Did that really

silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and I have to stifle a laugh at the absurdity

the situation.

carefully neutral. "How

chambers?" His voice is subdued now, a far cry from the booming enthusiasm of moments ago. Vanessa glances

to let

face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have disappeared. He

must offer my sincerest apologies for intruding upon your personal chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was

such a stark contrast to his earlier behavior that I'm not quite sure how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity

St Aubing b

keep my voice steady. "I

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

at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping

to let me take the

to break

Orion's eyes light up, but he 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 to have a

says, backing towards the

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

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

mores."

Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We have very little contact with anyone

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi