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

ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order from your

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched on

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

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

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

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

training room did give us the luxury of showers, but

gross against

well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading as I

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 reach a clearing, and a small

but I can't imagine

in it, but something tells me

I've 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 in

and a menacing presence that

suddenly, I'm not there

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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

She's perched in a chair by

out?" I croak,

Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as you

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

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

pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to