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

still coils in chest.

ears to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of

me. "He's right, Ava.

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched on her face. "Easy

smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its

into step 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 with

weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure

bed looks

luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us

feel gross against the clean, cool

Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading as I drift

and a persistent sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember

but I

walk in it, but something tells

I've been here before, and my entire body's

It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving in its

of red in the trees, and

I'm not

water, 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

me a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly.

Oh, wait. It's not.

but

and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

was 1 out?" I

hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as

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

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

pushed aside during sleep comes