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!"

mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues, words tumbling out

Do you have any idea how long

Sometimes months!"

the room, taking up his usual position in the corner. His face is impassive as ever, but there's a hint of amusement

and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for her protective instincts, even if they weren't

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 the first time. The realization dawns on his face,

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, slamming it behind him with as much force as

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep during meditation and dream the whole

silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and I

the situation.

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

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 face. "Of course," she

to let

massive frame somehow seeming smaller than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head have disappeared. He clears his throat, looking everywhere

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

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

St Aubing b

keep my voice steady. "I understand you

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

silence falls over the room. I glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on

content to let me take the

way to break the tension, "about that

excited tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss it in a more... appropriate setting? The library, perhaps?" I nod, relieved to have

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

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

the corners of her mouth. "I never

mores."

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

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi