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

me, but anxiety still coils in chest. "But what about

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

back, but Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava.

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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

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

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

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

every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before collapsing

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

gross against

voice already fading as I drift

always running, but I can't remember what

but I can't

to walk in it, but something tells me it isn't

and my entire body's screaming at

from crystal clear and blue to murky brown,

of red in the trees, and a

suddenly, I'm

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

ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

voice startles me. She's perched in

was 1 out?" I croak, my mouth

Orion said to let you

only slept ten minutes. "Why

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

pushed aside during sleep comes rushing