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!"

the excitement in his tone. He's practically

you were special, Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees to access their magic?

Sometimes months!"

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

and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful

this time.

about magical potential and rare talents when he suddenly stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room

from excitement to mortification.

Oh, dear. This 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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

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

to answer it, and I have to stifle

the situation.

says, her voice carefully

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

let him

His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his head

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

formal language and contrite tone are such 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 recognizes

St Aubing b

Orion, I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about the magic

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

to let me

I begin, searching for a way to break the

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?"

course," he says, backing towards

a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I

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

mores."

the exact opposite," Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi