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.

our surroundings with growing amazement. We're in what appears to be an attic, but unlike any attic I've ever seen. The space is absolutely crammed with... stuff. Artifacts of every description crowd the room, lining

the rafters.

devices. tick softly, their gears

sheer volume of objects, the attic is surprisingly clean. No cobwebs drape the corners, no dust coats the surfaces. It's as

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

The air itself seems charged with potential, tingling against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum, picking up on some sort of energy present in the space. Marcus

13

In

I were you.

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

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

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

Orion how to use that damn communication

with Vanessa. I'll investigate the area. We need

doesn't

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

can hear it

go dark.

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

We're not alone.

move in tandem, shoving me behind them. Their bodies form a living shield, and I

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

trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak

Their muscles are coiled tight, ready to spring into action. My body