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!"

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

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

Sometimes months!"

infectious, 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 ever, but there's a hint

and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're

this time.

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, and I

from excitement to mortification.

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep

to answer it, and

the situation.

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

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

let him

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

by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional

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

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

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

glance at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping

to let me

searching for a way to break the tension, "about that fire

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 to have a direction.

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

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

Vanessa supplies, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I never heard that the Fae have such

mores."

is contained in storybooks.

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi