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

once again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for casual

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 intrude

my mind. "What do you

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.

fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again,

Not Yet

sense that it-he-would have a name,

it's kind of on the nose,

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

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.

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

one else

Grimoire, little human thing?"

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.

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

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

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

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

and start anew."

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 for a real

to

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