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!"

but there's no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues, words tumbling out in

Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually

Sometimes months!"

follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position in the corner. His face is impassive as ever, but there's

opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing

this time.

dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it for the first time. The realization dawns

from excitement to mortification.

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

looks with Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just

moves to answer it, and I

the situation.

her voice carefully neutral.

booming enthusiasm of moments

to let him

seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have

as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I

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 recognizes the genuine

St Aubing b

trying to keep my voice steady. "I

nods, still looking uncomfortable. "Yes, well, that's no excuse for such behavior. I

awkward silence falls over the room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on how to proceed, but they

content to let

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

course, of course," he says, backing

closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well,

corners of her mouth. "I never

mores."

the exact opposite," Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi