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

Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep,

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

"but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens."

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

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

beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take

weighs down my tongue; I'm not

bed looks impossibly inviting, and

give us the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next time, I'll

against the

murmurs, her voice already fading as I

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 me. The chase stops abruptly when I reach

but I

walk in it, but something

and my entire body's screaming at me

goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown,

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

suddenly, I'm not there

with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the

of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented,

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

She's perched in a chair by the window,

was 1 out?" I croak,

Orion said to let you sleep as long as

slept ten minutes.

before you ask, no, we haven't

sleep comes rushing back. "We need