Tangled

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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!"

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

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

Sometimes months!"

but I'm still reeling from the sudden intrusion. Marcus follows Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position in the corner. His face is impassive as

relaxes her defensive stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe.

this time.

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 as his

from excitement to mortification.

dancing above his head.

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did

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

the situation.

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

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 face. "Of course," she

let him

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

was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my

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

St Aubing b

Orion, I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you

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

Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for

let

I begin, searching for a way to break the

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

of course," he says, backing

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

her mouth. "I

mores."

is

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi