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.

firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order

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

me, leaving behind a 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

of the Fae

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

into a proper

my tongue; I'm not even sure the

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

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

against the

Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading

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

I can't

want to walk in it, but something tells me

I've been here before, and my entire body's screaming at me to

goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something

the trees, and a menacing presence that makes it

I'm

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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not powered

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

1 out?" I croak, my mouth

Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as

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

head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas or the

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