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 in chest. "But what

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

voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone if

"but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens."

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the

a little fuzzy and the world is off its

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

tongue; I'm not even sure the words came out sounding

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

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

against the clean,

murmurs, her voice already fading as

quite recognize, and a persistent 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 imagine

in it, but something tells

my

goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and

a flash of red in the trees, and a menacing presence that

I'm not

eyes stares at me, the only color in her fur a patch of black at the

a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not powered

sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like Jericho's been putting me

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

She's perched in a chair by the window, looking

out?"

hours. Magister Orion said to let you

ten minutes.

no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas

during sleep comes