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. "But what about

firmly. "Eight hours of sleep,

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

training room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my

Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and

falls into step beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will check

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

I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly

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

feel gross against

voice

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

familiar, but I can't imagine

it, but something tells me it isn't

here before, and my

It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving in its

red in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes

suddenly, I'm

with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only color

furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for my phone out of habit. It's dead, of

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

sleepyhead, Vanessa's voice startles me. She's perched in a

1 out?" I

hours. Magister Orion said to let you

feels like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake me? Has there been any

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

during sleep comes