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

concern warms me, but anxiety still coils in chest. "But what

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

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

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

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

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

The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before

of showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next time,

against

her voice already fading as I

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

familiar, but I can't

want to walk in it, but something tells me it isn't

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

darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving in its

red in the trees, and a menacing

I'm not

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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

voice startles me. She's perched in a chair

1 out?"

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

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

you ask, no, we haven't been able to

during sleep comes rushing back. "We need