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

warms me, but anxiety still coils in

Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order from your

tone, ready to snap back, but Vanessa's voice distracts me. "He's right, Ava. You're no

"but wake me if anything-and

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

we exit the training room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched on her face.

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

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

down my tongue; I'm not even sure the

bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off

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

feel gross against the

voice already fading as I drift

dreams are a chaotic swirl of fire and water, faces I can't quite recognize, and a persistent sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember what I'm chasing or

familiar, but I can't imagine

walk in it, but something tells me

like I've been here before, and my entire body's screaming at me to run

crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and

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

I'm not there

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 my phone

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like Jericho's been putting

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

1 out?" I croak, my mouth

to let you

only slept ten minutes. "Why

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

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