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

me, but anxiety still coils

Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order from your

me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern

I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its axis. "I'm

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

my tongue; I'm not even sure the words

The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before

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

gross against the clean,

voice already fading as I drift

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

familiar, but I can't

it, but something tells me it isn't

before, and my entire body's screaming at

crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving in its

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

I'm not there

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

The soft bed and ornate furnishings of

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

voice startles me. She's perched in a chair by the window, looking far too

out?" I

let you sleep as long as

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

And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas or the

worry I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing