Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 218 Ava: Embracing Change (II)

Traveling with a vampire is a lot less mystical than I expect.

It's nothing like whatever fueled my magic travel to her home. There is no endless darkness, nor an expanse of red that blots out the existence of everything else. There's no sense of travel, no sense of suffocation.

Instead, Sister Miriam spreads an arm, and a shimmering gate appears before us, silvery-black and swirling on the inside.

"Since your guards are so wary, I shall allow one of them to go first. Then me. Then you, Ava, and the last guard. This gate will disperse after the last, or after thirty seconds. It's your choice."

Her warning is clear: Either come with her, or don't, but the choice is mine.

"Got it."

Marcus steps forward without a word, giving me a brusque nod before walking through the magical vortex, as tense as a man walking to his execution. He draws his gun before entering, and Sister Miriam says nothing, only allowing an amused twitch of her lips.

Before Sister Miriam enters, she glances toward Jericho. "That wolf who died, screaming about a vampire in the Blackwood territory. What was her name? Marjory?"

Kellan steps between them. "How do you know about—"

She shakes her head. "That vampire never existed. When you go through your investigation, remember that. He never existed. Think of my advice as a free favor from a friend. It would have been a costly one." She winks in a way that should come across playful, but looks awkward on her not-quite-in-sync features, before stepping through the gate.

"I—damn it, she's gone. Ava, I don't think this is a good idea."

"I'm leaving. Marcus is already on the other side. I have my phone. I'll call you as soon as I'm there." Feeling terrible for ignoring Kellan's plight, I dash through the portal, hoping I'm making the right decision.

Vanessa's right behind me, giving me a warm sense of safety as I step through, prepared to feel some sort of otherworldly traveling experience.

But there's nothing.

I was in

in the middle of another room. It's large, with no furniture at all. Only Sister Miriam and

are no windows, only a ridiculous amount of lamps in various styles. Some look like street lamps. Others are more sleek and modern. Some look like bizarre art deco styles that make no reasonable sense to exist

Dakota Sanctuary, Ava Grey." Sister Miriam's eyes crinkle. "Was it that

"Not at all."

of citrus and spice, something cozy and fall-feeling, that settles my nerves.

good?" His gruff voice

small smile. "I'm

throughout the room. Her fingertips graze the surface of a particularly ornate piece, a wistful expression on her

at the corners of her lips. "Collecting things is a personal hobby of mine. I find

home flash through my mind—row upon row of books, antique editions mingling with modern paperbacks. The sheer

out before I can stop it, my curiosity getting the

waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, who

my eye, and we both grin. Who doesn't keep track

to lose track of how many

do, and it has nothing to do with a shifter

behind us doesn't disappear, and Marcus frowns at it. "I thought it would dissipate

on the other side. This one is permanent. You

with confidence, reaching over to rap against the swirling gray-black smoke within the portal. Her knuckles ring against what sounds like glass, and Marcus leans forward to touch it, looking doubtful. Then his eyebrows raise in surprise, his hand

vampires have acquired their own portals

they've been able

direction would have saved you a lot of time

stunned by the revelation, his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Vanessa frowns thoughtfully, her brow furrowed as she processes