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!"

mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with

Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees

Sometimes months!"

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

still on high alert but recognizing that we're

this time.

when he suddenly stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it for the first time. The

from excitement to mortification.

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 as much force as

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that

Vanessa moves to answer it, and I have to stifle a laugh

the situation.

says, her voice carefully neutral. "How may we

have permission to enter Miss Grey's chambers?" His voice is subdued now, a far cry from 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 course," she says,

let

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

much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude

language and contrite tone are such a stark contrast to his earlier behavior that I'm not quite sure how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at

St Aubing b

to keep

"Yes, well, that's no excuse for

silence falls over the room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some

to let me take the

a way to break the tension, "about

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 direction. "That

he says, backing towards the

door closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes.

Vanessa supplies, a smile tugging at the corners of her

mores."

the exact opposite," Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi