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

me, but anxiety still coils in chest.

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

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

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

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the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the

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

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

I'm not even sure the words came

step. The bed looks

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

gross against the clean,

Vanessa murmurs, her voice

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

but I can't imagine

but something tells me it

like I've been here before, and my entire

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

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

I'm not there

eyes stares at me, the only color in her fur a patch of

me a moment 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

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but not powered

feel feverish. My entire body

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the window,

long was 1 out?" I croak,

Magister Orion said to let

feels like I only slept ten minutes.

"Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been

sleep comes rushing