Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 254 Ava: In the Attic

Just as I'm about to suggest we try something else—anything else, like banging until we find a hidden door—movement catches my eye. A shimmer ripples across the far wall, like heat waves rising from sun-baked asphalt. It swirls and coalesces, taking on the familiar appearance of the portals we used to travel to Dakota Sanctuary.

Relief floods through me, tempered by caution.

Magister Orion asked for a portal, but his directions were vague. There's a hell of a lot of world out there.

Marcus steps forward, his jaw set with determination. "I'll go first," he says, his tone brooking no argument. Before I can protest, he's through the portal, vanishing in a blink.

Vanessa and I exchange a quick glance, an entire conversation passing between us in that split second. Together, we step into the swirling vortex.

The world twists and blurs around us, and for a heart-stopping moment, I feel like I'm falling through an endless void. Then, abruptly, solid ground materializes beneath my feet. I stumble forward, colliding with warm bodies in the darkness.

"Oof!" Vanessa grunts as we all tangle together, a mess of limbs in a space that feels far too small.

"Sorry," I mutter, trying to extricate myself without elbowing anyone in the face. "Where are we?"

A rustling sound, then a click. Soft light floods the space.

Marcus stands a few feet away, his hand on a dangling pull cord attached to a bare bulb.

I've ever seen. The space is absolutely crammed with... stuff. Artifacts of every description crowd the room, lining shelves, stacked in corners, hanging from

clockwork devices tick softly, their gears exposed like mechanical organs. Crystals of various sizes and colors

attic is surprisingly clean. No cobwebs drape the corners, no dust coats the surfaces. It's as if time has been

is this place?" Vanessa breathes, her eyes wide

air itself seems charged with potential, tingling against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum, picking up on some

for potential threats. "It seems safe enough," he says after a moment. "But I wouldn't touch anything if I were you. No telling what some of these

in agreement, though my fingers itch to explore. We might not know where we are, but

knowledge and power if only I'd reach

to focus on our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and the others.

use that damn

nods. "First, stay with Vanessa. I'll investigate the

peaceful doesn't mean

don't hear anything, but Marcus holds a finger to his lips, tugging at the

can hear

coming from somewhere below us. My breath catches in my throat as I exchange

We're not alone.

them. Their bodies form a living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge of guilt that rises in my throat. They shouldn't have to risk themselves for

for heroics or misplaced pride. I force myself to stay still, to become as small and quiet

Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak