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.

16:25

1/6

232 Ava: Bursting In

"Fire!" he roars, his voice booming through the room. "You touched fire!"

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 tumbling

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

Sometimes months!"

infectious, but I'm 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 as ever, but there's

relaxes her defensive stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for

this time.

stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it for the first time. The realization dawns on his face, and I

from excitement to mortification.

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!"

that follows is deafening.

16:25

232 Ava: Burstant in

what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep

breaks the stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer

the situation.

carefully neutral. "How

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

to let

smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have disappeared. He clears his throat, looking everywhere

a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and

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

St Aubing b

Magister Orion, I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I

"Yes, well, that's no excuse for such behavior. I assure

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

to let

begin, searching for a way to break the tension,

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

of course," he says, backing

him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I say, looking at

corners of her mouth. "I

mores."

have is contained in storybooks. We have very little

Communities"

36.25

27 Ava Thesi