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."

my head, trying to refocus. "I'm

changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl?

you

new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think.

swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've never

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

in perpetual annoyance. "I know many things, girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are,

Ava: Not

that it-he-would have a name,

of on the nose,

did someone like you manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with

venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes

interested in a two-way conversation, only in 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 out

Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit asks,

and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace

one who came barging in here. Shouldn't

seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know

back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float

to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just set the world

and start anew."

for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to

ask, unable to keep the worry from

abruptly it makes me flinch,