Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 232 Ava: Bursting In

"But I didn't do anything," I protest. "I just sat here."

"It doesn't matter," Vanessa says, just as Selene says the same thing in my head.

I swear I can hear a smile in my wolf's voice. Sometimes doing nothing is the hardest thing of all.

I look down at my hands, half expecting to see water droplets forming on my skin. But they look the same as always. "Did I really do it, though?"

I don't know. I'm not a wizard.

Pausing at that, I scowl at the air, since she's not near me. "Then what was all that advice about?"

A hunch.

What the hell.

It worked, didn't it?

Can't really argue with that.

The door flies open with a resounding bang, and I nearly leap out of my skin. Before I can even process what's happening, Vanessa's between me and the entrance, her body coiled and ready to strike.

My heart's still racing when Magister Orion bursts in, his massive frame filling the doorway. But it's not his size that catches my attention this time. No, it's the tiny sparks of flame dancing above his head like a bizarre halo. I blink, wondering if I'm hallucinating.

booming through the room.

his words has me flinching, but there's no mistaking the excitement in his tone. He's practically vibrating with energy as he continues, words tumbling out in

special, Ava Grey! Do you have any idea how long it usually takes trainees to access

Magister Orion into the room, taking up his usual position

to the opposite corner, still on high alert but recognizing that we're safe. I'm grateful for her protective instincts, even if

he suddenly stops mid-sentence. His eyes dart around, taking in the room as if seeing

is a terrible mistake. I'm in your…" His words come out in a stammer, his face flushed as red as the fire dancing above his head. "My sincerest

out the door, slamming it behind him with as

Vanessa and Marcus, trying to process what just happened. Did that really just occur? Or

moves to answer it, and I have to stifle a laugh at the absurdity of the

Vanessa says, her voice carefully neutral. "How may we help

chambers?" His

she's struggling to keep a straight face. "Of course," she says, stepping aside

than before. His face is beet red, and the dancing flames above his

my sincerest apologies for intruding upon your personal chambers without so much as a by-your-leave. It was terribly rude and unprofessional of me. I allowed my excitement to override my manners, and for that,

to respond. Part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but

Orion," I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand you were excited about the magic

"Yes, well, that's no excuse for such behavior. I assure

Vanessa and Marcus, hoping for some clue on how to proceed,

for a way to break the

light up, but he visibly restrains himself from launching into another excited tirade. "Yes, of course. Perhaps we could discuss

have