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!"

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

Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees to

Sometimes months!"

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

defensive stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe.

this time.

about 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

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

process what just happened. Did that really just occur?

knock on the door breaks the stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer

the situation.

her voice carefully

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,

let him

enters, his massive frame somehow seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have disappeared. He clears his throat, looking

was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override my manners, and for that, I am

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

St Aubing b

I manage to say, trying to keep

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

room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping

let

begin, searching for a way to break the tension, "about that fire

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

course, of course," he says, backing towards

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

of her mouth. "I never heard that

mores."

again, the knowledge we have is contained in storybooks.

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi