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

Grey! Do you have any idea how

Sometimes months!"

Magister Orion into the room, taking up

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

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, and I watch as

from excitement to mortification.

his head. "My sincerest apologies, my

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

exchange bewildered looks with Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep during meditation and dream the

stunned silence. Vanessa moves to answer it,

the situation.

her voice carefully

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,"

let

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

It was terribly rude

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 the genuine remorse in his

St Aubing b

say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited

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

at Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on how

let me take

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

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

he says, backing towards

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

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

mores."

Marcus muses. "But then again, the knowledge we have is contained in

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi