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.

any attic I've ever seen. The space is absolutely crammed with... stuff. Artifacts of every description crowd the room, lining shelves, stacked

the rafters.

next to weathered leather-bound books. Intricate clockwork devices. tick softly, their gears exposed like mechanical organs. Crystals of various sizes and colors catch the light, throwing rainbow

corners, no dust coats the surfaces.

her eyes wide as

hum, picking up on some sort of energy present in the space. Marcus moves cautiously, his trained eye scanning for potential threats. "It seems

13

In the

anything if I were you. No telling what some of these things might

nod in agreement, though my fingers itch to explore. We might not know where we are, but I can

secrets, promising knowledge and power if only I'd reach out and grasp them. I clench my

our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and the others. They

damn communication orb, but at least Vanessa brought

"First, stay with Vanessa. I'll investigate the area.

peaceful doesn't mean it

her words, a faint sound reaches their ears. I don't hear anything, but Marcus holds a finger to his lips, tugging at the light

hear it

go dark.

My breath catches in my throat as I exchange alarmed glances with Marcus

We're not alone.

living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge of guilt that rises in my throat. They shouldn't have to risk themselves for me. I'm not worth their

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

breathing. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak of the floorboards

Marcus and Vanessa. Their muscles are coiled tight, ready to spring into action.