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.

take in 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

the rafters.

Delicate porcelain figurines pose 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 reflections

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 of organized

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

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 moves cautiously, his trained eye scanning for potential threats.

13

Ava: In

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

might

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

contact Lucas and the others. They need to know what's

Orion how to use that damn communication

Vanessa. I'll investigate the area. We need to make

doesn't mean it is, the healer

in response to 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 again and letting

can hear it

go dark.

catches in my throat as

We're not alone.

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 of guilt that rises in my throat. They shouldn't have to risk

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

our shallow breathing. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temple. The air

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