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 in chest. "But what

firmly. "Eight

to snap back, but Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone if

"but wake

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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

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

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

tongue; I'm not even sure

The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off

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

against the

her voice already fading as I drift

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 reach a clearing, and a small stream

but I

it, but something tells me it

like I've been here before, and my entire body's

water darkens. It goes from crystal

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

suddenly, I'm not

water, only a beach, with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes

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 my phone out of

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the window, looking far too

was 1 out?" I croak, my

ten hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as

slept ten minutes. "Why

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

worry I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to do