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."

and I shake my head, trying to

subject abruptly once again.

you

within me. My magic, I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their tongue,

my mind. "What do you

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

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

Not Yet

makes sense that it-he-would

kind of on

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

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

Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us.

else is

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

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

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

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

back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there

a frame of green trees surrounding

and start anew."

chill runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any

ask, unable to keep the

it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity