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."

trying to refocus.

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

you

trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I didn't mean to intrude on

"What do

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 mean my magic

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

Ava: Not

sense that it-he-would have a name,

on the

a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the

with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of

have a feeling 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 green, there's nothing but a vast expanse of dead forest. The contrast is stark-life and death separated by an invisible

one else is out

little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing their

protest, "I thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't

one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your own

seem to know him quite well. I

mid-air. It's surreal, watching them

which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky.

and start anew."

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

I ask, unable to keep the worry from

up so abruptly it makes me flinch,