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

will keep our ears to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's

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

out of me, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me if

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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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. "Easy

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

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

Exhaustion weighs down my tongue; I'm not

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

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

gross against

her voice already

running, but I can't remember what

familiar, but I can't imagine

want to walk in it, but something

before, and my entire

It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving

and a menacing

suddenly, I'm

A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me,

to remember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for my phone out of habit. It's dead,

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not powered

sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts,

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

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

out?" I

Orion said to let you

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

no, we haven't

I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing