Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 234 Ava: Magister Orion Explains Things

I want to protest, to insist that I'm fine, but the truth is, I'm grateful for the suggestion. My legs feel like jelly, and the idea of sitting down is appealing.

Very appealing.

I want to sit down.

Right now.

Magister Orion agrees, leading us to the familiar sitting area nearby. As I sink into a plush armchair, relief washes over me. I hadn't realized just how much effort it was taking to remain upright.

"Now," Magister Orion says, settling into his own chair, "let's discuss what happened during your practice session. I'd like to hear about your experience accessing your magic for the first time."

My thoughts are jumbled now that the moment's arrived. How do I even describe the rush of power, the vivid memories, the feeling of connection to something greater than myself?

"It was intense," I begin, searching for the right words. "Like I was drowning in dreams, or maybe memories. They were awful ones, where I died in a fire. It was horrible and painful. I felt a surge of energy and then, before I knew it, the rune paper was on fire."

Magister Orion leans forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "For the wizards of the past, past life memories were not uncommon when first accessing one's magical core. It's as if the magic itself carries the echoes of its previous incarnations. While it isn't normal, it isn't unheard of. Usually, it comes with a great level of power."

crazy, I admit, "It felt so real.

"Magic is timeless, Ava. It exists beyond our mortal understanding of past, present, and future. On a different plane, as it were. When we tap

are both awesome and

mean? Is it going to happen all the time? Am I going to remember my past life

that. It's a glimpse, a window, but nothing more than that. It's similar to clairvoyants, who can see or predict future events. Cloudy and uncertain, and sometimes things change before things come to pass. Or, you see

I murmur, thinking

"Ah, Sister Miriam."

his thick fingers steepling as he considers his words. "Sister

feel Selene focusing more on what she can hear through

own brand of magic, you see," he continues, his voice taking on the cadence of a lecturer. "It's tied to their very nature—blood magic, some call it, but it isn't necessarily accurate. Even

on every word. The fatigue in my muscles

"Though the truth of her parentage remains a mystery to most. There isn't much known about the dhampir and what powers they inherit from their non-vampire

has never been a human wizard with the ability

true, if

me for a long time.

see is merely a possibility in your life. Sometimes, it works out exactly as they've foreseen. Sometimes, you make choices that change such a future. And other times, knowing pushes you to make choices to avoid that future—yet brings it to fruition instead, in a

ability, but some become addicted to the visions,