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

because the distance between us is

itch becoming more insistent. It's like my body is trying to crawl out of itself,

when the full moon approaches, this

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

right, of course, but the urge is almost overwhelming. Instead, I press my palms flat against my thighs, focusing on the rough

only other constellation I really know: The constellation Cassiopeia, its distinctive

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 for

Feels like me.

his throat, breaking 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

That I'm stressed about the fate of the world and worrying that we won't find Lucas where he's supposed to

on the obvious untruth. "Good. We should

twitch, wanting to scratch again. I curl them into fists instead, nails digging

think Lucas is awake?" The question slips out before I can stop it, my voice sounding small and uncertain in the confines of the

gently from the back. "He's probably

sleeping. What time is it now? Midnight? A patient shouldn't be awake at this

distract myself, I think about the magic thrumming through my veins, the power that seems to have a mind of its own. Is it like starlight,

was worried I'd just explode and take a chunk of

know, it's magic, and can't be compared

myself, my hand is at my neck

"You need to try to relax. The more you