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.

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

the rafters.

Intricate clockwork devices. tick softly, their gears exposed like

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

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

with potential, tingling against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum, picking up on some sort of energy present in the space. Marcus moves cautiously, his trained eye scanning for potential threats.

13

In the

after a moment. "But I wouldn't touch anything if I were you.

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

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

to contact Lucas and the others. They need to know what's happening. Sister Miriam and Selene will have no idea how to

use that damn communication orb, but at least Vanessa brought

I'll investigate the area.

doesn't mean it is, the healer

a faint sound reaches their ears. I don't hear anything,

hear it

go dark.

us. My breath catches in my throat as I exchange

We're not alone.

Their bodies form a living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge of guilt that rises in my throat. They shouldn't have to

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

silence stretches, broken only by our shallow breathing. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive.

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