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

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

into my skin as I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's

wonder if this is how Lucas feels when the

from the back

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

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

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

Feels like me.

that's settled over us.

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 a little too

the world and worrying that we won't find Lucas where he's supposed to be?

the obvious untruth. "Good. We should be there soon. Just hang in

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

stop it, my voice sounding small and

gently from the back. "He's probably

is it now? Midnight? A patient shouldn't be awake

my veins, the power that seems to have a mind of its own. Is it like starlight, traveling vast distances to reach its vessel—me? Or is it more like a supernova, a brilliant explosion

explode and take a chunk of the world with me, I think it might be the

you know, it's magic, and can't

hand is at my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly, but

to try to relax. The more you focus on