Tangled

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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!"

volume of his words has me flinching, but there's no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with

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

Sometimes months!"

Marcus follows Magister Orion into 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

this time.

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 expression

from excitement to mortification.

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

process what just happened. Did that

silence. Vanessa moves to answer it, and

the situation.

voice carefully neutral. "How may

Grey's chambers?" His voice is subdued now, a far cry from the booming enthusiasm of moments ago. Vanessa glances back, catching my

to let him

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

without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override

not quite sure how to respond.

St Aubing b

say, trying to keep my voice steady.

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

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

content to let me

to break the tension, "about that

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 to

of course," he says, backing

as the door closes behind him, a hysterical giggle escapes. "Well, I say, looking at Vanessa and Marcus,

the corners of her mouth. "I never heard that the

mores."

Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in storybooks. We have very little contact with anyone associated with

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi