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."

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

wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This

you

I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've never been here

doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through my veins, my heart beat rapid and shallow. "Grimoire? You mean my magic

prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling

Not

makes sense that it-he-would have a name,

it's kind of on the

every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow

in it?" I venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way

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

no one else

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

protest, "I thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know better than

barging in here. Shouldn't

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

It's surreal, watching them float

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

and start anew."

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

unable to keep the

sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with