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.

appears to be an attic, but unlike any attic I've ever seen. The space is absolutely crammed with... stuff. Artifacts of

the rafters.

pose next to weathered leather-bound books. Intricate clockwork devices. tick softly, their gears

the corners, no dust coats the surfaces. It's as if time has been suspended here,

breathes, her eyes wide as

skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum,

13

Ava: In

if I were you. No

We might

only I'd reach out and grasp them. I clench my fists at my sides, resisting the

to figure out where we are," I say, forcing myself to focus on our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and

that damn communication orb, but at

Vanessa. I'll investigate the area. We need

peaceful doesn't mean it is, the

reaches their ears. I don't hear anything, but Marcus holds a finger to his lips, tugging at the light again and letting the

hear

go dark.

from somewhere below us. My breath catches in my throat as I exchange alarmed glances

We're not alone.

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 rises in my

lips together, fighting the urge to protest. Now isn't the time for heroics or misplaced pride. I force myself to stay still, to become as small and quiet as possible in this cramped, magical

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

feel the tension radiating from Marcus and Vanessa. Their muscles are coiled tight, ready to spring into action. My body thrums with nervous energy,