Tangled

Unshift 246

Unshift 246

246 Ava: Off-kilter

Staying in the training room for another week is mental torture.

The training isn't the worst part.

It's the tedium.

Vanessa and Marcus are tense and jumpy, even with nothing happening.

Sometimes, the weird training room turns into a quiet beach. In an unfortunate twist, the room can't emulate scent, so it doesn't help much as a change of venue.

Once I'm able to summon fire with ease, Magister Orion announces that it's a great time to return to the Fae Ward.

The clock on the wall shows eighteen hours have passed since we entered.

"Despite sleeping in here, your mind and body aren't truly rested. You should sleep once we

return."

"No, I need to see if Selene's returned, I protest, swaying on my feet. The idea of sleep is tempting, but the worry gnawing at my gut won't let me rest. "What if something's happened?" Magister Orion's eyes soften. "Ava, I assure you, if any important news arrives, I will wake you immediately. But right now, your mental faculties need replenishing. You've pushed yourself hard. While this room is convenient for fast- tracking your training, it comes with downsides." "Days?" I blink, the concept of time slipping through my fingers like sand. "It's only been eighteen

hours."

"There, yes. And in here, it's been two weeks."

Right. I knew that.

I'm just a little confused.

My body betrays me with a jaw-cracking yawn. Vanessa steps forward, her hand gentle on my arm. "He's right, Ava. You're dead on your feet." Marcus grabs my other arm, holding me upright. It's only then that I realize I was tilting to the

side.

my

anxiety still coils in chest. "But what

says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's

but Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava.

a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens." Magister Orion nods solemnly. "You have

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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halls of the Fae Ward makes

think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy

a proper angle

I'm not even sure the words came out

my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick

the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new

feel gross against

Vanessa murmurs, her voice already

urgency. I'm running, always running, but

familiar, but I

but something tells me

I've been here before, and my entire body's screaming at me to run

darkens. It goes from crystal

of red in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes it

suddenly, I'm not

with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only

soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for my phone out of habit.

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

and sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

morning, sleepyhead, Vanessa's voice startles me. She's perched in a chair

was 1 out?" I croak, my

hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep

hours. It feels like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake me? Has there been

ask, no, we haven't been

during sleep comes rushing back.