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 in chest.

says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum.

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

of the Fae Ward makes

smile. At least, I think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and

beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to the

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

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

showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next time, I'll pack

against the clean,

well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice

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

familiar, but I can't

in it, but something tells

been here before, and my entire body's screaming at me to run

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

of red in the trees, and a menacing

suddenly, I'm

water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares

surface from sleep, it takes me a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

1 out?"

Magister Orion said to let you

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

head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach

worry I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We