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.

keep our ears to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae

everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off

me back into a proper angle

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

time we reach my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and

but it couldn't give us

feel gross against

her voice

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

I can't imagine

it, but something

like I've been here before, and my entire

It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and

in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes it hard to

I'm

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 at the end of her

soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

long was 1 out?" I

Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as

only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake

yet. And before you ask, no, we

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