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.

glowing, with the faintest hint of lavender aura around

me to tap into

It's just enjoying the door you

"Who's there?" My eyes dart around the forest, searching for the source of

Ava: Who

but trees and

of-" The voice cuts through the air again, dripping with sarcasm. "Why are you acting like I'm some sort of attacker? You're the one who barged in here

spin in a circle, trying to pinpoint where it's coming from. The voice is... odd. Not quite feminine, not quite masculine.

male or female?" The voice sounds annoyed now. "Honestly, you humans and

my peripheral vision, and I whirl toward the pond. The dark surface ripples, then bulges upward. My breath

the water.

its form as it steps onto the shore.

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

blink, trying to process what I'm seeing. "What...

Or I was, before it started dying. They gesture at the small patch of greenery surrounding us. "Though I suppose I should thank you for the

of this.

surprising me, yet here I am, sent reeling

I say, my voice softer now. "I was just trying to

expression softens slightly. "Yes, well, it's been a long time since anyone's been able to

closer. "What happened here? Why

magic

life here withers away."

why?" I ask, my

time. Without it, the

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

<

Ava: Who Are

cocked. "You carry the legacy of witches, but have the mark of a

I point at myself. "What am