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

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

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

concede, "but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens." Magister

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

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

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

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

my tongue; I'm not even sure the words came out

the time we reach my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely

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

gross against the clean,

murmurs, her voice already fading as 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 chase stops abruptly when I reach a clearing, and a small stream

I

walk in it, but

before, and my entire

the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's something moving in its

trees, and a menacing presence that makes it hard to

suddenly, I'm not there

with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only color in

The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented,

Oh, wait. It's not.

but not

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

perched in a

long was 1 out?" I

ten hours. Magister Orion said to let

minutes.

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

sleep comes rushing back. "We need to do