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

but anxiety still coils in chest. "But what

Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum.

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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training room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my

little fuzzy and the world is off its axis. "I'm fine. Just

into step beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will check in with

weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the

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

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

feel gross against the clean,

voice

always running, but I can't remember what I'm chasing or what's chasing me. The chase stops abruptly when I reach

I can't imagine

to walk in it, but something tells me it

here before, and my

water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's

flash of red in the trees, and a menacing

suddenly, I'm not there

lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only color in her fur a patch of black at

moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

entire body

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

startles me. She's perched in a chair by the window,

1 out?" I croak, my mouth

Orion said to let you

I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake me? Has there

shakes her head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas or the

pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to