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. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything like this

dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl?

you

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.

frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've never been here

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 book? How do you know

Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once

Not Yet

makes sense that

on

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

the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than

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

no one else

Grimoire, little human thing?" the

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

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

about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I

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

to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding

and start anew."

down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse for a real

ask, unable to keep the worry

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