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. "But what about

to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours

me. "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone

I concede, "but wake

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

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of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched on her face.

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

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

weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the

with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes

training room did give us the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new

feel gross against the

voice

sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember

but I can't

to walk in it, but something tells me

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

take a step back, and the water darkens. It goes from crystal

flash of red in the trees, and a menacing presence that

suddenly, 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

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

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

My entire

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a chair by the

long was 1 out?" I croak, my mouth

to let you sleep as

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

no, we haven't been able

sleep comes rushing back. "We need