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

warms me, but anxiety still coils

Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of

at his tone, ready to snap back, but Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no

fight drains out of me, leaving behind 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

+63

we exit the training room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern

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

a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will

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

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

room did give us the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next time, I'll

gross against

Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading as

are a chaotic swirl of fire and water, faces I can't 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 reach a

familiar, but I can't imagine

to walk in it, but

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

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

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

suddenly, I'm not there

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

remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for my

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the

was 1 out?" I croak,

let you

like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake

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

I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back.