Tangled

Chapter 286

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 sorry. I've never seen anything like

changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are

you

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

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've

long-suffering sigh, like 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

spirit's 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

Ava: Not Yet

that it-he-would have

it's kind of on the nose,

of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head.

been since you were out in it?" I venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than their appearance. "Acons, perhaps?" They shrug.

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

else

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

me. After all, they went on and on about how

barging in here. Shouldn't you know

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

spirit groans, dramatically falling flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like

of magic is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees

and start anew."

for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even

ask, unable to keep the worry

so abruptly it makes me flinch,

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