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.

growing amazement. We're in what appears to be an attic, but unlike any attic I've ever seen. The space is absolutely

their surfaces cloudy with age. Delicate porcelain figurines pose next to weathered leather-bound books. Intricate clockwork devices tick softly, their gears exposed like

no dust coats the surfaces. It's as if

eyes wide as

potential, tingling against my skin. My newly awakened magical senses hum, picking up on some

seems safe enough," he says after a moment. "But I wouldn't

though my fingers itch to explore. We might not know where we are, but I can tell there's

I'd reach out and grasp them. I clench my fists at my sides,

I say, forcing myself to focus on our immediate situation. "And more importantly, how to contact Lucas and the others. They

that damn communication orb, but at

I'll investigate the area. We need to make

looks peaceful doesn't mean it is,"

I don't hear anything, but Marcus holds a finger to

can hear

somewhere below us. My breath catches in my

We're not alone.

behind them. Their bodies form a living shield, and I struggle to quell the surge of guilt that rises in

or misplaced pride.

my temple. The air feels thick, oppressive. Every creak of the floorboards beneath us sends a