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.

says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum.

voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone if you

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

everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its

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

I'm not even

reach my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before

did give us the luxury of showers, but it

gross against the clean,

well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice

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

I can't

but something tells me it

I've been here before, and my entire

crystal clear and blue to

in the trees, and a menacing presence

I'm

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 of

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the window,

long was 1 out?" I

let you

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

before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas

worry I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need