Tangled

Unshift 286

Unshift 286

286 Ava: Not Yet Ready.

*Sealed? By the water, you mean?"

"Of course not." They look irritated now, likely by how slow my brain is catching up to their thought process. The seals, girl"

"So, a lockbox?"

"Lockb-you humans have such odd innovations." The way they're peering into my face, it feels like they're tearing apart my memories to educate themselves.

"In a sense, I suppose. It isn't that easy" They sit.

In the air.

Floating.

Just-there. As if one would lower themself into a chair, only there's nothing there.

"Why so surprised?" they ask, tilting their head as they blink owlishly in my direction.

Gesturing toward them, I just say, "You're floating. In mid-air."

They roll their eyes again, a surprisingly human gesture for such an otherworldly being. "And you're standing on the ground. How extraordinary."

and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything like

dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are

you

mentally and physically, it takes a while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The

"What

I'm an obtuse child they're obligated to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through my veins, my heart beat rapid and shallow. "Grimoire? You mean

Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything. I'm just trying to connect with my book. With,

Not Yet

that it-he-would

it's kind of on the nose,

a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled

way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more

satiating their own curiosity. "How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond our small circle of vibrant green, there's nothing but a vast expanse of dead forest. The contrast is stark-life and death separated by an invisible

one else is

Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they

eyes narrow. "You're the one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know

seem to know him quite well. I figured

mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like they're lying on an invisible

a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have any real

that... possible?" I ask, unable to keep the

it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots me to the