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."

I shake my head, trying

They wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for casual

you

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 think. I didn't

"What do you

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

that Grimoire prefers his 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

Not

sense that it-he-would have

of on the nose, isn't

with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake

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,

their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our

one else is out

human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know

"You're the one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know

"You seem to know

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

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

and start anew."

for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have

unable to keep

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