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 never seen

hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why

you

me. My magic, I think.

in my mind. "What do you mean? I've never been

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,

spirit's expression remains settled in perpetual annoyance. "I know many things, girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling

Ava: Not Yet

sense that it-he-would

of on

a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with

I venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their

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

no one else is out

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

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

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

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

a frame

and start anew."

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

I ask, unable to keep

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 intensity that roots me to