Tangled

Unshift 285

Unshift 285

285 Ava: Who Are You?

My eyes fly open, and I gasp. Where my hand touches the ground, a faint golden glow spreads outward. It's barely visible, like sunlight filtering through murky water, but it's there.

Heart pounding, I press my palm more firmly against the forest floor. The glow intensifies slightly, spreading further. I can feel it now, a warmth seeping up through my skin, traveling along my arm.

It's the magic from the pond. Somehow, it's not confined to the water. It's here, in the very earth beneath my feet.

A laugh bubbles up from my chest, half disbelief and half triumph. "Well, would you look at that?" Encouraged, I place my other hand on the ground as well. The glow spreads further, creating a small circle of light around me. It's beautiful, a stark contrast to the gloomy forest surrounding

1. me.

I close my eyes, focusing on the sensation. The magic feels... different from what I've experienced before. It's not the raw, primal power of the Moon Goddess, nor is it the structured, disciplined energy I've been trying to work with in my training.

This magic feels wild. Untamed. Like a force of nature that can't be reasoned with. It reminds me of the feeling I get when I'm running through the forest, wind in my hair, heart pounding with the thrill of freedom.

The glow continues to spread, pushing back the darkness of the forest. With each passing moment, I feel stronger, more alive. It's intoxicating.

It isn't under my control; it spreads without my thought or push. I'm little more than a conduit. The dark water slowly changes, from black to navy. Then, slowly, into a glossy blue that reflects

the sun.

And hints of green.

Green, from the leaves sprouting on once-dead branches. From the unfurling trees once again reaching high to the sky.

It's limited to the area surrounding me, but there's life here, where there was once nothing at all.

A comfortable buzz against my wrist catches my attention, and I glance down at the silver bracelet Dr. Blackwell gave me.

with the faintest hint

allowed me to tap into the magic

the door

pounding. "Who's there?" My eyes dart around the forest, searching

Who

but trees and

are you acting like I'm some sort of

from. The voice is... odd. Not quite feminine, not quite masculine.

does it matter if I'm male or female?" The voice sounds annoyed now. "Honestly, you

peripheral vision, and I whirl toward the pond. The

the water.

emerges-first a head, then shoulders, torso, legs. Water cascades off its form as it steps onto the shore. I take

Its eyes are the deep blue-green of the ocean, with flecks of gold that seem to dance and shift. It-they?-cocks their head to the side, regarding me with a mixture of curiosity and irritation. "Well? Are you satisfied now that you can see me? Or

blink, trying to process what

patch of greenery surrounding us. "Though I suppose I should thank you for the little bit of life you've managed to

mind races, trying to make sense of this. A spirit? Like...

of surprising me, yet here I am, sent reeling

mean to wake you," I say, my voice softer now. "I was just trying to connect with the magic here. Wherever

spirit's expression softens slightly. "Yes, well, it's been a long time since anyone's been able to do that. Most just pass through

a tentative step closer. "What happened

over their face. The magic is

life here withers away."

why?" I ask, my curiosity overriding

time. Without it, the

gesture. "Who knows? The ways of magic are mysterious, even to those of us who are born of

<

Who

legacy of witches, but have

point at myself. "What