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

still coils in chest.

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

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

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

into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first

it." Exhaustion weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the words

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

luxury of showers, but it

gross against the

her voice

running, always running, but I can't remember what I'm chasing or what's chasing me. The chase stops abruptly when I reach a

but I

walk in it, but something

here before, and my

from crystal clear and blue to

and

suddenly, I'm

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

moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but

My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

was 1 out?" I

let you sleep

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

yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas

during sleep comes