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."

sarcasm catches me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've

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

you

off-balance mentally and physically, it takes a while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I

"What do

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 and shallow. "Grimoire? You

peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything. I'm just trying to connect

Not

makes sense that it-he-would have

on

manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and

with the world. The way they

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

one else

thing?" the spirit

After all, they went on and on about

in here. Shouldn't you know

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

mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like they're

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

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure

to keep the

up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots me to the