Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 39 Ava: Her Identity

You have the potential, Selene says, her voice a cautious whisper in my mind. The arcane flows through your veins. But…

My breath escapes me in a giddy rush. Magic. Real magic. Human magic. It's something out of a fairy tale, not something that should exist in my life. Then again, supernaturals exist—and we're pretty nonstandard, ourselves.

It's not that simple, Selene continues, her tone growing more serious. Magic is not a toy, little one. It's a force of nature, raw and untamed. To wield it requires knowledge, discipline, and control.

I swallow hard, feeling the warning in her words. "But how do I learn? I don't even know where to start."

You would need a teacher, Selene explains, her voice tinged with hesitation. Someone well-versed in the arcane arts, who could guide you, show you how to harness and control your power. But magic is a lost art. Magicians were lost to the curse and became shifters.

Talk about a letdown.

"So, I won't be able to do magic." Is that how you say it? Do magic? Cast magic? Spell magic? Cast spells? It all feels weird in my mouth.

It is unlikely, Selene says, but she still has that cautious sound to her voice.

"If I tried, what's the worst that could happen?"

Death.

A simple word, bluntly given, with all the truth in the world behind it. I shudder at the matter-of-fact tone.

were lost to the recklessness of their magical talent. Until magicians began to teach each other, too

regain some of the warmth that fled my body

have been amazing to learn, of course. But—if Selene says it's too dangerous, I believe her. It isn't worth my life to try

question that's been bothering me from the beginning. "Selene, you're

Of course.

me? No shifter has a wolf with a physical

ancient magic, she explains in that non-explaining way, where nothing is really answered. We are both separate and one at

groan. "That makes no sense. You're being cryptic again. All shifters are bonded with ancient magic, and they

something that can't be helped, Selene sighs, and I can almost picture her shaking her head. It's the

professor now? And what are we, exactly? Are you a Lycan or a

quiet pride. I came to be with you

squint, as if that somehow makes my brain work better. "How is that possible? Doesn't the curse decide

turning brisk. For now, it's more important that you take a cold shower before your heat starts back up. Clayton is

alpha sends a shiver down my spine, and I

like yesterday. But I can't let this

do you mean, we're separate and one at the same time? I don't understand any

says, her voice softening. There is much you don't understand yet. But trust me when I say

the heat is building faster now, and I can feel my skin starting to prickle with sweat.

One humiliation is enough.

I go. Niceties are

how far they are, but they're close enough that I'm lifting my chin to sniff, trying to get their scent in