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

still coils in chest. "But what about

Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of

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

drains 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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the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies me, concern etched

Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its axis. "I'm

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

not even sure the

with every step. The bed

but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next

against the clean, cool

Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading

quite recognize, and a persistent sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember what I'm chasing

but I can't

walk in it, but something tells

before, and my entire body's screaming

darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue

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

suddenly, I'm not

wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only color in her fur a

takes 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

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

in a

was 1 out?" I croak, my

ten hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep

slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake

you ask, no,

comes rushing back. "We need