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!"

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

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

Sometimes months!"

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 hint of amusement in his

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

this time.

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 dawns on his face,

from excitement to mortification.

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,

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or

the stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and I

the situation.

Vanessa says, her voice carefully neutral. "How may

from the booming enthusiasm of

to let him

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

without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement

how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part recognizes

St Aubing b

okay. Magister Orion, I manage to say, trying to keep

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

and Marcus, hoping

to let me take

for a way to break the tension,

himself from launching into another excited tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss it in a more...

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

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

Vanessa supplies, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I never heard that

mores."

knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We have very little contact with anyone

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi