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

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

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

"but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens." Magister Orion nods solemnly. "You have

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched

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

gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to

tongue; I'm not even sure the

step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I

training room did give us the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next time,

feel gross against the clean, cool

voice

sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember what

I can't imagine

want to walk in it, but something tells me it

my entire

goes from crystal clear

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

I'm not there

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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

hot and sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

in a chair by the

long was 1 out?" I

let you sleep as long

I only slept ten minutes.

head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able

comes rushing back. "We need to