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 in chest.

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

Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's

me, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched on her face. "Easy

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

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

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

with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and

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

feel gross against

her voice already fading

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

but I

in it, but something tells me it

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

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 presence that makes

suddenly, I'm not there

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

furnishings of the Fae Ward come into

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not powered

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the

was 1 out?" I croak, my

hours. Magister Orion said to let you

feels like I only slept ten minutes.

no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas

worry I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing