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

warms me, but anxiety still coils

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

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

a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake me if anything-and I mean anything-happens."

(C) 240 Ava: Off-kilter

+63

ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head

a little fuzzy and the world is

proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will check in with everyone while

not even sure the words came

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

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

against the clean,

voice already fading

urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't remember what I'm chasing or what's chasing me. The chase

I can't imagine

walk in it, but

here before, and my entire body's screaming at me to run

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

the trees, and a menacing presence

suddenly, I'm not

toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at me, the only color

and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward come

Oh, wait. It's not.

charged, but

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

214

246 Ava Of-Kitar

sleepyhead, Vanessa's voice startles me. She's perched in a chair by the window, looking far too

was 1 out?" I

let you sleep

only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake

yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to

I'd pushed aside during sleep comes rushing back. "We need to do