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!"

no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues,

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

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

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

this time.

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 dawns on his face, and I watch

from excitement to mortification.

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,

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I

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

the situation.

Orion," Vanessa says, her voice carefully neutral. "How may we help

apologies. I... ahem. May I please 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 back, catching my eye, and I can see she's struggling to keep a straight

to let

before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames

chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly

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

St Aubing b

to keep my

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

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

content to let me take the

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

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

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

hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I say, looking at Vanessa and

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

mores."

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

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi