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

concern warms me, but anxiety still coils

the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

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

proper angle to the

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

with every step. The bed looks

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

feel gross against the

well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading as I

I can't quite recognize, and a persistent sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember what I'm

familiar, but I

it, but something tells me it

and my entire body's screaming at me to run

take a step back, and the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky

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

I'm not

no water, only a beach, with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes

finally surface from sleep, it takes me a moment to 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 phone out

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

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 by the window, looking far too

long was 1 out?" I

to let you sleep as

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

yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been

sleep comes rushing