Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 230 Ava: Change of Balance

"I'll get the Magister," Marcus offers. "You focus on the those other ones. Try not to flood the room or something."

"I can swim," Vanessa says. "I can probably keep her afloat until you get here."

Their faith in me is so touching. "I'm not going to flood the room, guys."

"Did you know you were going to set a paper on fire before you did it?" Marcus looks stern, but there's a slight twinkle in his eyes, and a little quirk to his smile, that tells me he's becoming more comfortable around me.

At least he's not trying to escape the general vicinity of magic, after being in the Fae Ward for a few days. He's getting used to its existence around him, though he admits that it feels itchy. Vanessa doesn't seem to have the same problem.

Selene, on the other hand…

I'm not sneezing, but all I can smell is refuse. She sounds sour in my head. There's an alley with garbage cans. I guess no one wants to ward their trash.

As Marcus leaves to fetch Magister Orion, my heart clenches in sympathy for my wolf. I wish there was a way to make you more comfortable.

It's fine, Selene replies, though her mental voice sounds strained. I'd rather be here than leave you alone.

Vanessa settles on the bed, her fingers tracing the edges of the rune papers scattered across the covers. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you holding up, Ava?"

Falling onto my back, I throw my arm over my eyes, blocking out the lights. Every one of my feelings presses down on me, shoving me deeper into the mattress. "Honestly? I feel like I'm missing something huge. Like there's this... I don't know, this looming disaster just waiting to happen, and I can't see it coming."

we know Lisa's been relocated. That's good news, right? And Lucas is an

of tears in my eyes. "But I can't shake this feeling that I should be doing more. It feels like I'm hiding

holds up one of the rune papers. It crinkles in the air, tickling my ear as I lower my arm to peer in her direction. "Maybe working on your powers is the best help you can be right now. Think about it—if you can

with her. I really do. But that prickling feeling of unease won't leave me alone. Pulling out my phone, my fingers hover over Lucas's number. I've left him twelve messages since

rings, once, twice, three times. No answer. I try again, my heart rate picking up with each unanswered

probably just busy," Vanessa says, but I can hear the slight

to Kellan's number, hoping he'll at least be able to give me an update. But his

Vanessa, suddenly feeling very small and very scared. "How do you handle this? The

my hand. "It's hard," she admits. "There's no easy way to deal with it.

did

who needs something, or more wounded coming in. There are things that you need to do, and you do them. Worrying yourself into an anxiety spiral won't help.

For sacrificing for me." If Lucas being unreachable is hard for me—newly mated and spending more time

be away from him? Here, in your chest?" I rub mine, where there's an ache I've become familiar with. It

back now, and driving

her eyes taking on a distant look. "Always," she says quietly. "When he's not near, it's like... like I'm missing an arm or a leg. Missing a lung. I can't breathe

rely

just got busy, too distracted thinking and doing to even remember to call Lucas. It seems stupid that I ever

Once I accepted him into my life, as my partner, and the responsibilities of the position it brings, I thought I was finally ready. Finally

realize I still was complacent, knowing he was there to hold us up. He's always been the glue of our relationship, and I've been like

being the one to text me, to call me, with our distance, I realize how much I relied on him. On his presence to