Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 209 Ava: Moon Goddess (II)

Traveling like this is nothing like appearing in Sister Miriam's home.

It's just a rush of white and nothing.

A lack of sound.

There's no wind. No air to breathe. And yet I don't suffocate in its absence, almost as if I don't need to breathe at all.

Even so, I'm falling.

I can feel it deep in my soul.

Until I crash into a nebulous something and the world coalesces around me again.

The world blinks into focus, and I find myself somewhere... else. Somewhere decidedly not my room at the lodge.

I spin slowly, taking in my new surroundings. Towering rock cliffs encircle me, their jagged peaks reaching into an impossibly blue sky, uninterrupted by even a wisp of cloud. The air carries a crisp, clean scent, untainted by the usual odors of civilization. It fills my lungs with a refreshing coolness that I've never felt before. Something I may never experience again.

In the center of this hidden vale, a crystalline pond sparkles, its aqua waters more vivid than any I've seen before. The surface is still, like a polished mirror reflecting the heavens above. I'm drawn to it, my feet moving of their own accord until I stand at the water's edge.

As I stare into the mesmerizing depths, a thought drifts through my mind—that this place is imbued with magic. It's a strange notion, but one that feels undeniably true. The very air seems to hum with an unseen energy, making my skin tingle.

says from behind me. "It's the

A woman stands before me, her beauty almost ethereal. Silver hair spills over her shoulders, puddling

Bright and colorless. Inhuman. And yet somehow

the secrets of the universe, a gentle smile playing on

voice sounding small in the vastness of this place. "Where am

she says, her voice like a soothing lullaby. "But you may call me Selena. And this," she gestures to our

make sense of her

a being of great power, Ava Grey. The magic that flows through your veins is ancient and potent. This place is a manifestation of that magic, a sanctuary created

at all. "What drought? The world is thriving." At least, that's what the

I suppose that would be

extends a hand towards me, palm up in invitation. I hesitate, my mind reeling. But something deep within me, a part of myself I've always known existed but never fully acknowledged, draws

of this woman

she can be

and place my hand in hers. Her skin is warm and smooth, and a tingling sensation spreads up my arm at the

she says, gently tugging me towards the pond. "Let me show you the depths

a glimpse of my reflection in the still surface. But instead of my usual self, I see a glowing figure, radiant with an inner light. Selena's reflection stands beside mine, her own

glow is wild, like a living

between a master and

the magic that is your birthright. It's been locked away for far too long, and the earth