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!"

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

have any idea how long it usually takes

Sometimes months!"

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 of amusement

stance and moves to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing

this time.

stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing it for the first time. The realization

from excitement to mortification.

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

that follows is deafening.

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232 Ava: Burstant in

Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or did I fall asleep during

to answer it,

the situation.

says, her voice carefully

enthusiasm of moments ago. Vanessa glances back, catching my eye, and

to let him

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

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

sure how to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part recognizes

St Aubing b

keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about the magic

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

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

content to let me take

to break

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

of course," he says, backing

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

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

mores."

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

Communities"

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27 Ava Thesi