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!"

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

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

Sometimes months!"

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

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

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 for the first time. The realization

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 can even form a response, he's out the door, slamming it behind him with as

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

that really just occur? Or did

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

the situation.

voice carefully

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

to let him

frame somehow seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames

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

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

St Aubing b

manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady.

uncomfortable. "Yes, well, that's no excuse for such

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

content to let me take the

to break the tension,

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

course," he says, backing towards the door.

him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well,

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

mores."

knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We have very

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi