Tangled

Unshift 240

Unshift 240

240 Ava: Sister Miriam is Angry

Chapter 30Magister Orion doesn't bat an eye when we tell him that we want to get in touch

with Sister Mirlam.

Two hours later, we're back in Sister Miriam's strange mansion, just outside of the Fae Ward.

We all try calling people again, but nothing but voicemails answer us.

Selene rolls against the cool floor, groaning in relief. So much easier to breathe here. Pity. I do like it there.

"Sorry." Watching her writhe around to soothe her itchy skin gives me something to do while we wait for Sister Miriam's arrival.

Layla is back, hunched over a pile of papers she dragged with her, marking through various papers with terrifying efficiency. I'm not even sure if she's reading what's on the pages. Just flip, sign, flip, flip, sign. Every so often she sets one to the side after writing REJECTED in large letters at the top of the

page.

"Their language is fascinating." Vanessa murmurs, also watching the gnome work.

"Language?" Startled, I glance at the healer. "She hasn't said a word."

Our whispers echo through the room. It's impossible for Layla not to hear everything we're saying, yet we continue to whisper.

"Her writing," she corrects me. "Those letters-you called them runes?-are so interesting. She writes them so quickly, but they're so intricate and detailed."

Glancing at the papers again, I squint my eyes.

It takes a while for me to realize that Layla is, in fact, writing in the strange language of theirs, and not in English.

That can't be possible. I'm reading everything she's writing with such case, as though it were already in English. How?

Affinity, Selene explains with a yawn. You've accessed your magic. You've gained an

of the language

magic and an entire language

Precisely.

was here, but he's not, so I shelve them for now. It's a strange thing, but not nearly

arrival before she even enters the room. Selene, who's been rolling around on the floor, suddenly sits up straight, her posture prim and proper. I can't help but smile at

Miriam steps

Ava Sister Miriam

accustomed to seeing her in. Instead, she's wearing a loose shirt and jeans. It's so... normal. So un-Sister Miriam-like that for a moment, I wonder if this is some sort

her tone cool and polite. Her red eyes lock onto mine.

much should I reveal? I'm not sure. Glancing at Vanessa and Marcus, whose faces are blank,

is the city at war with

reaction is immediate. Her eyes widen, and she takes an involuntary step forward, so intense that it steals my breath away for a moment

voice sharp with intensity. Then, as if catching herself, she quickly adds, "I've heard nothing about any war, but that doesn't something isn't happening.

eyes dart around the room as if searching

seen her

She knows something

attacks on my pack, I explain, the words tumbling out in a rush. "And I

Layla, who's been watching our exchange instead of working on her papers. "What's going

her feet, her small form quivering. "I don't

she studies the gnome. After a few seconds, she must decide that she believes her, because she

a snap of Sister Miriam's fingers, Layla

I blink, startled

back to me, tension radiating from her every movement. She's almost shaking with anger, but it

pack in danger.

did you call for me?" she asks, her voice tight. I'm

run recon, try to establish a connection with our pack" he explains, gesturing to my husky. "But she'd need a way back into the city Sister Miriam's gaze falls on Selene, and

of emotion I've ever seen from her. For a long moment, she

Ava: Sister Miriam is

isn't obvious. But it isn't at us. She

Sister Miriam lets out a long sigh. "Fine," she says, the word sounding as if it's been dragged out of her. "I'm willing to travel with the... wolf. It shouldn't take long with both of us looking

me. "Tell me everything you know," she demands. "Every detail, no matter how small. For attacks to occur without my knowledge means that someone

only cement the foreboding in my heart,

tense silence, her gaze softening slightly as she looks at Selene. The