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!"

volume 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 tumbling out

it! I knew you were special, Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees to access

Sometimes months!"

is almost 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

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

this time.

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

from excitement to mortification.

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

just happened. Did that really just occur? Or

door breaks the stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and

the situation.

her voice carefully

the booming enthusiasm of moments ago.

to let

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

offer my sincerest apologies for intruding upon your personal chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly

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

St Aubing b

trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about

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

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

content to let

searching for a way to break the tension,

Perhaps we could discuss it in a more... appropriate

he says, backing towards the door.

as the door closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I say, looking at Vanessa and

of her mouth. "I never heard that

mores."

exact opposite," Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We have very little contact with anyone associated with the

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi