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!"

volume of his words has me flinching, but there's no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues, words

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

Sometimes months!"

sudden intrusion. Marcus follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position in the corner.

defensive stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that

this time.

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.

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep during meditation

on the door breaks the stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and I have to stifle a laugh at the

the situation.

voice carefully neutral. "How may we

I... ahem. May I please 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 him

somehow seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have disappeared.

personal chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override

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 the absurdity of it all,

St Aubing b

keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about the magic

excuse

room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping

let me take

for a way to break the

excited tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss it in a more... appropriate setting? The library,

course, of course," he says, backing towards the door. "I'll await you

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

corners of her mouth. "I never heard that the Fae have

mores."

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

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi