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

Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum.

voice distracts me.

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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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

a little fuzzy and the world is off

beside me, with a gentle shove that tilts me back into a proper angle to

down my tongue; I'm not even sure the words came out sounding

I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting,

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

feel gross against the clean,

her voice already fading as I drift

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

but I

walk in it, but something tells me it

here before, and my entire body's screaming at me

take a step back, and the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown,

of red in the trees, and

suddenly, I'm not there

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

bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but

My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

was 1 out?" I

Orion said to let you sleep as

like I only slept ten minutes. "Why

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

aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to