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.

in what appears to be an attic, but unlike any attic I've ever seen. The

the rafters.

cloudy with age. Delicate porcelain figurines pose next to weathered leather-bound books. Intricate clockwork devices. tick softly, their gears exposed like mechanical organs. Crystals

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 everything in a perfect state

this place?" Vanessa breathes, her eyes wide as she

against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum, picking up on some sort of energy present in the space. Marcus moves

13

Ava: In the

a moment. "But I wouldn't touch anything if I were you. No telling what some of these

agreement, though my fingers itch to explore. We might not know where we are, but I can tell there's

and power if only I'd reach out and grasp them. I clench my fists at

focus on our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and the others. They need to know what's happening. Sister Miriam and Selene will have no idea how to get back to

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

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

doesn't

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

hear it

go dark.

catches in my throat

We're not alone.

against my ribs as Marcus and Vanessa move in tandem, shoving me behind them. Their bodies form a living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge

or misplaced pride. I force myself to stay still, to become as small and quiet as possible in

broken only by our shallow breathing. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak of the floorboards beneath us sends

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