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

anxiety still coils in chest. "But what about

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

me. "He's right, Ava. You're

of me, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me if anything-and I mean

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

I think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its axis. "I'm fine. Just

beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will check in

my tongue; I'm not even sure the words

every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before collapsing onto

of showers, but it couldn't

feel gross against the

voice already fading

urgency. I'm running, always running, but

I can't

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

before, and my entire body's screaming at me

goes from crystal

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

suddenly, I'm

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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

entire body hurts, like Jericho's

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

She's perched in a chair by the window,

out?" I

ten hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep

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

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

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