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.

an attic, but unlike any attic

the rafters.

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

cobwebs drape the corners, no dust coats the surfaces. It's as if

Vanessa breathes, her eyes wide as she takes

with potential, tingling against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum,

13

Ava: In the

I were you. No telling what some of these

We might not know where we are,

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

importantly, how to contact Lucas and the

use that damn

stay with Vanessa. I'll investigate the

doesn't

I don't hear anything,

can hear it

go dark.

us. My breath catches in my throat as I

We're not alone.

Marcus 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 throat. They

lips together, fighting the urge to protest. Now isn't the time for heroics or misplaced pride. I force myself to stay still, to

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

muscles are coiled tight, ready to spring into action. My body thrums with nervous energy, my heart booming in my