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

firmly. "Eight hours of sleep,

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

drains out of me, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens." Magister Orion nods solemnly. "You have

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies

least, I think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy

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

weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the

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

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

against the clean, cool

well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice already

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

but I can't

want to walk in it, but something tells me it

my entire body's screaming at me to run

the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown,

red in the trees, and a menacing presence that makes

I'm

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 of black at the end of

surface from sleep, it takes me a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not powered

feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

was 1 out?" I

ten hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep

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

no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas

sleep comes rushing back. "We need to