Tangled

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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!"

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

Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how

Sometimes months!"

the sudden intrusion. 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

still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for her

this time.

still going on about magical potential and rare talents when he suddenly stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it

from excitement to mortification.

Oh, dear. This 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, my lady!" Before I

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

bewildered looks with Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just

moves to answer it, and I have to stifle a laugh at the

the situation.

her voice carefully neutral. "How

enthusiasm of moments ago. Vanessa glances back, catching my eye, and I

let

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

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

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 the absurdity of it all, but another part recognizes the

St Aubing b

okay. Magister Orion, I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were

"Yes, well, that's no excuse for

room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on how to proceed,

content to let me

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

tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss it in a more... appropriate setting? The library, perhaps?" I nod, relieved to have

he says, backing towards the

giggle escapes. "Well,

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

mores."

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

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi