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

concern warms me, but anxiety still coils in chest. "But

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

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

fight 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

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

smile. At least, I think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its axis.

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

not even sure the words

with every step. The bed

us the luxury of showers, but

feel gross against the clean, cool

murmurs, her voice already

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 what's chasing me. The

familiar, but I can't imagine

to walk in it, but something tells me it

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

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

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

suddenly, I'm not

white wolf with clear blue eyes

finally surface from sleep, it takes me a moment to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not powered

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

long was 1 out?" I croak, my mouth

let

like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake me? Has there been

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

aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to do