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

to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of

voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone if you collapse from

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae

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

proper angle to the floor. "I'll

weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure

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

us the luxury of showers, but

against the clean,

her voice already fading

are a chaotic swirl of fire and water, faces 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 me. The chase stops

familiar, but I can't imagine

in it, but something tells me it isn't

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

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

a flash of red in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes

I'm not

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

sleep, it takes me a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

entire body hurts, like Jericho's been

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

out?" I croak,

let you sleep as long

It feels like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't

no, we

sleep comes rushing back. "We