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!"

no mistaking the excitement in his tone.

knew you were special, Ava Grey! Do you have any

Sometimes months!"

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

opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for her protective instincts, even if they

this time.

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

from excitement to mortification.

is a terrible mistake. I'm in your..." His words come out in a stammer, his face flushed as red as the fire dancing above his head. "My sincerest apologies,

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep during meditation and dream

to answer it, and I have to stifle a

the situation.

says, her voice carefully

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

let

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 everywhere

as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override my manners, and for that,

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

St Aubing b

to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I

that's no excuse

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

let

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

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.

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

giggle escapes. "Well,

tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I never heard that

mores."

is contained in storybooks. We have very

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi