Tangled

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1 slam my hand on the table, frustration boiling over. "What's the point of all this magical training if I can't even activate a simple orb?"

The communication ball sits there, mocking me with its inert silence. I've tried everything I can think of-touching it, willing it to work, even whispering different incantations I can barely remember. I'm not even sure what most of them are for. Nothing

Vanessa places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Ava, we weren't expecting your connection to magic to be cut off so suddenly. Your training was brief:

"I know, I know." Running a hand through my hair, I blow out a long sigh. "I just wish I'd started earlier. Maybe things would be easier now."

If only I'd known then what I know now. But hindsight's always perfect, isn't it?

Dr. Blackwell clears his throat, drawing my attention. He's holding something in his wrinkled hand-a bracelet, but not like the chunky white one on Lisa's wrist. This one's a delicate silver chain, adorned with stars and moon phases. "This might help," he says, offering it to me.

The metal is cool against my skin, but there's a familiar energy to it. Something I've long ago associated with magic within an item. "How?"

He shrugs, his eyes twinkling. "I don't know. It's an artifact, made for a witch long ago."

Long ago? That's shocking. "But it looks so... modern."

"Appearances can be deceiving," Dr. Blackwell says with a wink. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small obsidian disc. "This is a wardstone. This will create a ten-foot radius where no one can hear what's being said. One of our most requested items. Just infuse it with magic, or use the incantation. Just be warned, the silence activates after the incantation."

So basically-don't use the incantation if you don't want your enemies to know what you're doing. Got it.

"What's the incantation?" There's nothing about the stone that hints at its magical properties. Not even a buzz against my skin. It's just a rock as far as I can tell.

"By moon's grace and stardust bright, silence falls, veiling the night."

stone tickles my palm, magical energy seeping out of it.

Fascinating.

Magister Orion use. They're usually one or two words. Not a poem.

Vanessa asks curiously, reaching out to touch the stone.

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it. Wardstones have no owner and will activate if the requirements are met. To deactivate it, the incantation is, 'By dawn's

"No wonder no one knew about any plans if everyone's

Blackwell looks startled by her comment, his bushy eyebrows shooting up. "That is a point

the item in my

The bond inside me is still

break for a few hours and get a little rest?" I'd love to visit

I have everything under control. Marcus and

aware of the

it's

the war out there?" I wave an arm at the general outside.

quirk, even as his eyes travel toward Lisa. "Sounds like we're up shit creek without a

"Yeah. Pretty much."

out, magic-wise, while we wait for Sister Miriam. I'm worried about Lucas, and about any possible alpha challenges." Kellan sighs. "Understood. One reason he's been in

measure; an absent alpha can be challenged,

I've

Lisa whispers, "is

flicker between us,

I've learned." My wry

Don't discount what you've learned just because it isn't fast

of existence, fiddling with the new

Tha kad Ne Blandnull didn't

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