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

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

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa

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

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

not even sure the words came out sounding

with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I

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

against the clean,

her voice already

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 abruptly when I

I

it, but something tells me it isn't

my entire

darkens. It goes from crystal

a flash of red in the trees, and a

suddenly, I'm

A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like Jericho's been

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

long was 1 out?" I croak, my mouth

to let you sleep

slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake me? Has there been

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

during sleep comes rushing