Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 262 Ava: Cassiopeia

"Are you okay?" Vanessa asks, grabbing my arm and inspecting the welts I've given myself.

"Just crazy itchy. Ever since I connected with the book, it's like energy is just buzzing right below my skin. Like a million ants at a dance party."

She frowns. "I wish I knew more about magic and its side effects. I hate not knowing if these things are normal."

"No kidding." Pulling my arm away, I scratch at it again.

Marcus's voice cuts through the night air. "Time's up. Let's move. Ava, come up front this time."

I climb into the passenger seat, grateful for the change. At least I can stretch out my legs a little. The cracked leather beneath me is hard and pokey, but it's still an improvement.

Vanessa takes the back, and I can feel her watchful gaze on me even in the darkness.

The truck rumbles to life, and we're back on the road. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window, my eyes searching the sky. The stars are bright out here, away from the city lights. It's been so long since I've really looked at them.

My fingers find their way to my neck, scratching at the persistent itch that's taken up residence there. I try to focus on the constellations, searching for familiar patterns in the vast expanse above.

There's Orion's Belt, three stars in a perfect line. I remember learning about it as a kid, fascinated by the idea of hunters in the sky. Now, it feels like we're the ones being hunted, even when no one knows where we are.

The Big Dipper comes into view, its ladle shape unmistakable. I trace it with my eyes, following the line to the North Star. It's supposed to be a guide, a constant in a chaotic world. Right now, I could use some of that stability.

My mind wanders to Lucas, wondering if he's looking at these same stars from his hospital bed. The thought sends a pang through my chest, sharper than any physical pain.

I hope he's okay.

he knows I'm

in my chest feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is

my skin as I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's like my body is

is how Lucas feels when

is soft but firm from the back seat. "Try not to scratch. You'll make it

my hand, feeling like a scolded child. She's right, of course, but the urge is almost overwhelming. Instead, I press my palms flat against

know: The constellation Cassiopeia, its distinctive W shape a stark

beauty. Now she's forever in the sky, sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down. I wonder if the gods who put her there knew how apt a metaphor it would be

Feels like me.

the silence that's settled over us. "How are you

tear my gaze away from the stars to look at him. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead, but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands grip the steering wheel

can I say? That I'm stressed about the fate of the world and worrying that we won't find Lucas where he's supposed to be? That I feel like something else crazy is about to come around the corner at us at any second? "Just trying to relax a

calling me out on the obvious untruth. "Good. We should be there

scratch again. I curl them into fists instead, nails digging into my palms. The pain is a welcome distraction from

is awake?" The question slips out before I can stop

Vanessa says gently from the back. "He's

Of course he's sleeping. What time is it now?

seems to have a mind of its own. Is it like starlight,

I'd just explode and take a chunk of the world with me,

and can't be compared to something like

my hand is at my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly, but not

concern and exasperation. "You need to try