Staying in the training room for another week is ntal torture.
The training isn't the worst part.
It's the tedium.
Vanessa and Marcus are tense and jumpy, even with nothing happening.
Sotis, the weird training room turns into a quiet beach. In an unfortunate twist, the room can't emulate scent, so it doesn't help much as a change of venue.
Once I'm able to summon fire with ease, Magister Orion announces that it's a great ti to return to the Fae Ward.
The clock on the wall shows eighteen hours have passed since we entered.
"Despite sleeping in here, your mind and body aren't truly rested. You should sleep once we return."
"No, I need to see if Selene's returned," I protest, swaying on my feet. The idea of sleep is tempting, but the worry gnawing at my gut won't let rest. "What if sothing's happened?"
Magister Orion's eyes soften. "Ava, I assure you, if any important news arrives, I will wake you imdiately. But right now, your ntal faculties need replenishing. You've pushed yourself hard. While this room is convenient for fast-tracking your training, it cos with downsides."
"Days?" I blink, the concept of ti slipping through my fingers like sand. "It's only been eighteen hours."
"There, yes. And in here, it's been two weeks."
Right. I knew that.
I'm just a little confused.
My body betrays with a jaw-cracking yawn. Vanessa steps forward, her hand gentle on my arm. "He's right, Ava. You're dead on your feet."
Marcus grabs my other arm, holding upright. It's only then that I realize I was tilting to the side.
Their concern warms , but anxiety still coils in my chest. "But what about Lucas?"
"We will keep our ears to the ground," Magister Orion says firmly. "Eight hours of sleep, minimum. That's an order from your teacher."
I bristle at his tone, ready to snap back, but Vanessa's voice distracts . "He's right, Ava. You're no good to anyone if you collapse from exhaustion."
The fight drains out of , leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. "Fine," I concede, "but wake if anything—and I an anything—happens."
Magister Orion nods solemnly. "You have my word."
As we exit the training room, the sudden shift back to the ornate halls of the Fae Ward makes my head spin. Vanessa steadies , concern etched on her face. "Easy there."
I smile. At least, I think I'm smiling. Honestly, everything's a little fuzzy and the world is off its axis. "I'm fine. Just disoriented."
Marcus falls into step beside , with a gentle shove that tilts back into a proper angle to the floor. "I'll take first watch. Vanessa will check in with everyone while you sleep."
"Got it." Exhaustion weighs down my tongue; I'm not even sure the words ca out sounding right.
By the ti we reach my room, I'm stumbling with every step. The bed looks impossibly inviting, and I barely kick off my shoes before collapsing onto it.
The training room did give us the luxury of showers, but it couldn't give us new clothes. Next ti, I'll pack clothes.
They feel gross against the clean, cool sheets.
"Sleep well," Vanessa murmurs, her voice already fading as I drift off.
* * *
My dreams are a chaotic swirl of fire and water, faces I can't quite recognize, and a persistent sense of urgency. I'm running, always running, but I can't rember what I'm chasing or what's chasing .
The chase stops abruptly when I reach a clearing, and a small stream within.
It's familiar, but I can't imagine why.
I want to walk in it, but sothing tells it isn't safe.
It's like I've been here before, and my entire body's screaming at to run away.
I take a step back, and the water darkens. It goes from crystal clear and blue to murky brown, and there's sothing moving in its depths.
There's a flash of red in the trees, and a nacing presence that makes it hard to breathe.
Then, suddenly, I'm not there anymore.
There's no water, only a beach, with water lapping at my toes. A white wolf with clear blue eyes stares at , the only color in her fur a patch of black at the end of her tail.
* * *
When I finally surface from sleep, it takes a mont to rember where I am. The soft bed and ornate furnishings of the Fae Ward co into focus slowly. I blink, disoriented, and reach for my phone out of habit. It's dead, of course.
Oh, wait. It's not.
It's charged, but not powered on.
I'm hot and sticky, and feel feverish. My entire body hurts, like Jericho's been putting through the paces.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Vanessa's voice startles . She's perched in a chair by the window, looking far too alert.
"How long was I out?" I croak, my mouth dry.
"About ten hours. Magister Orion said to let you sleep as long as you needed."
Ten hours. It feels like I only slept ten minutes. "Why didn't you wake ? Has there been any news?"
Vanessa shakes her head. "Nothing yet. And before you ask, no, we haven't been able to reach Lucas or the pack."
The worry I'd pushed aside during sleep cos rushing back. "We need to do sothing."
"Ava—"
"We need to do sothing. Lucas is in danger."
She sighs, a mix of understanding and frustration in her eyes. "I know. But rushing in half-cocked won't help anyone. Let Sister Miriam and Selene look around. You need to focus on your training."
I feel like I'm missing sothing. Anxiety tugs at , but I don't know why everything feels wrong today.
I'm off-kilter, and I don't think it's from the training room.
Vanessa inspects with concern. "Are you feeling okay? You're flushed."
"I feel like I've been run over with a truck." Pressing my hand against my forehead, I add, "I think I'm okay. Maybe a little sick."
She frowns and replaces my hand with hers. "You have a fever."
That's odd. I haven't been sick in months. When was the last ti?
Oh, that's right. In Cedarwood. I was alone and miserable. That's when I t Selene.
As I swing my legs out of bed, the room spins. Vanessa is at my side in an instant, steadying . "Easy. Your body's still adjusting. Maybe you should just stay in bed. I'll get you so food."
I take a deep breath, waiting for the sensation to fade. "I'm okay. Just need a minute."
She shakes her head. "No. Healer's orders. Get back in bed."
"I have to pee."
"Then I'll take you to the bathroom. And then you're going right back in bed. I need to check your vitals and make sure you're okay. Do you get sick often?"
"No." Keeping my eyes closed makes the spinning worse, but oddly seems to help the nausea. "It's been a long ti. I get colds and things, though, like a normal human."
"But not since your constitution's changed, right?"
I peek an eye open. "Constitution?"
"Since you began healing rapidly and growing stronger?"
Interesting. I never thought of using that word to describe what's happening to my body. "No, I haven't been sick."
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