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

but anxiety still coils

our ears to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's

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

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 solemnly. "You have

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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

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

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

my tongue; I'm not

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

luxury of showers, but it couldn't

gross against the

her voice already fading

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 me. The chase

I

walk in it, but something tells

been here before, and my entire body's

back, and the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to

in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes it hard

suddenly, I'm not

eyes stares at me, the only color in her fur a patch of

I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

feverish. My entire body hurts, like Jericho's

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

morning, sleepyhead, Vanessa's voice startles me. She's perched in a chair by the

1 out?" I croak, my mouth

said to let

minutes. "Why didn't you wake

shakes her head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been

pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We