Tangled

Unshift 254

Unshift 254

254 Ava: In the Attic

Just as I'm about to suggest we try something else-anything else, like banging until we find at hidden door-movement catches my eye. A shimmer ripples across the far wall, like heat waves rising from sun- baked asphalt. It swirls and coalesces, taking on the familiar appearance of the portals we used to travel to Dakota Sanctuary,

Relief floods through me, tempered by caution.

Magister Orion asked for a portal, but his directions were vague. There's a hell of a lot of world out there.

Marcus steps forward, his jaw set with determination. "I'll go first," he says, his tone brooking no argument. Before I can protest, he's through the portal, vanishing in a blink.

Vanessa and I exchange a quick glance, an entire conversation passing between us in that split second. Together, we step into the swirling vortex.

The world twists and blurs around us, and for a heart-stopping moment, I feel like I'm falling through an endless void. Then, abruptly, solid ground materializes beneath my feet. I stumble forward, colliding with warm bodies in the darkness.

"Oof!" Vanessa grunts as we all tangle together, a mess of limbs in a space that feels far too

small.

"Sorry," I mutter, trying to extricate myself without elbowing anyone in the face. "Where are we?"

A rustling sound, then a click. Soft light floods the space.

Marcus stands a few feet away, his hand on a dangling pull cord attached to a bare bulb.

clears, I take in our surroundings with growing amazement. We're in what appears to be an attic, but unlike any attic I've ever

the rafters.

tarnished frames, their surfaces cloudy with age. Delicate porcelain figurines pose next to weathered leather-bound books. Intricate clockwork devices. tick softly, their gears

the sheer volume of objects, the attic is surprisingly clean. No cobwebs drape the corners, no dust coats the surfaces. It's as if time has been suspended here, preserving

breathes, her eyes wide as she takes in

senses hum, picking up on some sort of energy present in the space. Marcus moves cautiously,

13

In the

touch anything if I were you. No

agreement, though my fingers itch to explore. We might not

reach out and grasp them. I clench my fists

I say, forcing myself to focus on our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and the others. They

didn't ask Magister Orion how to use that damn communication orb, but

"First, stay with Vanessa. I'll investigate the area. We need to make sure

peaceful doesn't mean it is,

reaches their ears. I don't hear anything, but Marcus holds a

can hear

go dark.

in my

We're not alone.

Marcus and Vanessa move in tandem, shoving me behind them. Their bodies form a living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge of guilt that

protest. Now isn't the time for heroics or misplaced pride. I force myself

forehead, trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak of the floorboards beneath us sends a

coiled tight, ready to spring into action. My body thrums with nervous energy, my heart booming