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

ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order from

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

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

the Fae Ward makes my

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

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

it." Exhaustion weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the

my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick

the luxury of showers, but it

feel gross against the clean,

Vanessa murmurs, her voice

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

familiar, but I can't

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

my entire body's screaming at me

darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue

red in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes

I'm

clear blue eyes stares at me, the

The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not

My entire body

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

Vanessa's voice startles me. She's perched in

was 1 out?" I croak, my mouth

Orion said to let you sleep

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

you ask, no, we

during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to do