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."

head, trying to

wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again.

you

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

in my mind. "What

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,

his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once

Not

sense that it-he-would have

on the nose, isn't

inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake

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

"How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow

no one else is

human thing?" the spirit

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

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

don't know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know where

dramatically falling flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there

which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver

and start anew."

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

unable to keep the worry from my

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