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

my chest feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is shrinking. It feels like

scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's

this is how Lucas feels when the full moon approaches, this barely contained

the back seat. "Try not

course, but the urge is almost overwhelming. Instead, I press my palms

constellation Cassiopeia, its distinctive W shape a stark contrast to the surrounding

queen who boasted of her beauty. Now she's forever in the sky, sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down. I wonder if the gods who put her there

Feels like me.

clears his throat, breaking the silence that's settled

fixed on the road ahead, but I can see the tension in his jaw,

because what else 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?

on the obvious untruth. "Good. We should be

into fists instead, nails digging

out before I can stop it, my voice sounding small and uncertain in the

late," Vanessa says gently from

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

to 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, traveling

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

you know, it's magic, and can't be compared to something like

my neck again, nails scraping against

and exasperation. "You need to try to relax. The more you focus on it, the worse it'll