Tangled

Chapter 290

Unshift 290

Unshift 290

290 Ava: Imbalance

"You're really bad at taking care of yourself, aren't you?"

The little bit of life I'd managed to bring back to the forest is already dwindling, but the spirit- Grimoire, I'm pretty sure-is floating in the air when I open my eyes, lying on their side with their head propped on their hand. "Excuse me?" What a welcome.

"Not eating. Don't even notice you have a fever. Wild magic inside of you." They shake their head. "You'll implode at this rate."

A fever? My forehead feels cool to touch. "I don't have a fever."

"Your hand is as hot as your-never mind. Not my problem if humans want to kill themselves." They roll over, presenting their back to me.

"What do you mean by wild magic? And why would I implode?"

The spirit waves their hand dismissively, not even bothering to look at me. Their indifference is frustrating.

Last time, they spoke with me after I connected with the magic hidden here.

Fine. If that's what it takes to get answers, I'll try again.

Once I focus, the hidden magic pulses beneath the lake, calling my attention.

I touch my forehead discreetly. It feels cool to me, but the spirit's words nag at the back of my mind. Could I really have a fever?

Pushing the thought aside, I concentrate on the magic thrumming beneath the water, the faintest whisper of it grazing the land. Reaching out with my senses, I try to coax it to life once more.

silent, the air still. But then, slowly, I feel a warmth spreading from my fingertips. It travels up my arms, settling in my chest before radiating outward.

magic flows, I become acutely aware of my body. There's a strange heat building inside me, different from the warmth of the magic. It's uncomfortable, almost feverish.

open my eyes, hoping to see the spirit more willing to engage. To my surprise,

muse. "You're more persistent than I gave

mean you'll answer my questions

head, regarding me with those

200 Ava imbalance

if you're asking the right

against some freaking supernatural law

read my thoughts. "Okay,

to the revitalized forest around us. "You seek more power, yet you don't

learning. My teacher-I was separated from my teacher. I'm on

you humans.

paying attention. There are no ornate rules to magic. Do you need

It doesn't feel

a spirit, and I'm

of sass in your head for someone asking a

to keep my thoughts out of my head.

a knowing look in their eyes. "You don't understand what you're trying to control, and therein lies the danger. Wild magic, untamed and uncontrolled, is a force of nature. It responds

was told I needed a teacher so I wouldn't kill myself and everyone around

reaching the ground. They look ridiculous, despite the grim words and solemn expression. "Magic requires balance, they explain. "What you're doing now is drawing power from the world. around you, but you're not giving anything back. It's like trying to fill a cup with a hole in the bottom. Eventually, the pressure will become too

do

spirit's eyes gleam with an otherworldly light as they consider my question. Their body continues to rotate slowly in the air, defying gravity in

slightly mocking tone, "they think they're so clever.

forward eager to understand "What do you

200 Ava Imbalance

wards as a magical dumping ground. When they feel the pressure building up, they funnel that excess energy into these constructs. Imagine a pot of boiling water. Instead. of turning down the heat, they just

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