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."

my head, trying to refocus.

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

you

I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think.

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

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

remains settled in perpetual annoyance. "I know many things, girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are,

Not

sense that

of on the nose, isn't

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

long 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. Much

conversation, only in satiating their own 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

else is

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

and on about

in

don't know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I

It's

has parted into a frame of

and start anew."

seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even

I ask, unable to keep

of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots