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."

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

dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again.

you

was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think.

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you

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

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

Not Yet

sense that it-he-would have a

of on the

with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a

the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels

reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond our small circle of vibrant

one else is out

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

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

one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where

him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know

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

above, which has parted into a frame

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have

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

something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots me to the