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."

shake my head, trying to refocus.

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

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 think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing across

confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you

But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to

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 into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything. I'm just trying

Not

makes sense that it-he-would have a

kind of on the nose, isn't

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

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

further questioning will only lead me nowhere. They don't seem interested in a two-way 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

else

human thing?" the

me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys

who came barging in here. Shouldn't you

I counter. "You seem to know him quite

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

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

and start anew."

mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy

to keep the worry

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