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."

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

hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a

you

My magic, I think. I didn't mean

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

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 my magic book? How do you

things, girl. 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

Not Yet

sense that it-he-would have

of on

like you manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the world changed

has it 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.

in a two-way conversation, only in satiating their own curiosity. "How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us.

one else is out

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

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

narrow. "You're the one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your own book

about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well.

dramatically falling flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like they're lying on an invisible

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

and start anew."

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 for

unable to keep the worry from my

reaction is like something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an