Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 269 Lisa: The Farmhouse

LISA

The entire world shakes and shudders, and I wake with a jolt. "Earthquake!"

"We landed, you idiot." Elverly scowls at me. "Next time, don't use me as a pillow."

"Don't take her vitriol seriously, Lisa. She's the one who covered you with a blanket." The Grand Sage nods toward me, and I glance down, surprised to see a flannel fabric about as large as a baby's blanket.

She yanks it off me with a huff, folding it and tucking it under her arm, where it disappears.

I blink.

"Where did it go?"

"Dimensional storage," The Grand Sage tells me, pushing different buttons. The vibration of the room ceases. "Stay here. I'm going to check on matters, and the cloaking device isn't enough to cover everyone outside."

A hatch above us creaks open, letting in a sliver of light that makes me squint. I hold my breath, not daring to move as the Grand Sage maneuvers his way between Elverly and me. His robes brush against my arm, and I catch a whiff of something herbal—sage, maybe?

Funny. Sage for sages.

As he climbs, I can't help but stare at the rungs he's using. Were those there before? I wrack my brain, trying to remember if I'd noticed them during our journey, but come up blank. It's possible they were there all along, hidden in the shadows of this cramped space.

But it's more probable that they popped out of the wall when he was pressing one of those many buttons.

the hatch, and I strain my ears, trying to catch any sound from above. The silence remains unbroken, broken only by my own shallow

whisper, but Elverly cuts me off with

quiet.

long has it been since the Grand Sage left? A minute? Five? Time seems to stretch

snaps me back

opens wider, and I blink against the sudden influx of light. The Grand Sage's face appears in the opening, his expression

his words are grim.

moves first, gracefully rising from her seat and climbing the rungs with practiced ease. I follow more hesitantly, my muscles protesting after being cramped for

They seem to melt seamlessly into the wall, as if they've always been a part of it. Another bit of magic? Or some kind of advanced technology? The line between the two seems increasingly blurred

out of the hatch, taking in our new surroundings. We're in what looks like an old barn, dusty sunlight filtering through cracks in the wooden walls. The air smells of hay and

the hell did we magically land inside

know the explanation will be over my

metal egg with a flat top. If I hadn't just climbed out of it, I'd never believe it could fit three

we?" I ask, unable

Sage turns with a faint frown. "We did not go far. About two hours' drive from the heart of the

don't seem very happy to be here." Glancing around, I ask, "Are you sure it's

It certainly seems quiet.

reaches for my arm, slapping a white bracelet onto it. Elverly gets the same treatment. "This is in case we are parted. If anything happens, come here and press the green button on your bracelet. It's programmed for the

seems terrible. I can't imagine leaving

"Don't introduce yourself by name. Use a pseudonym, if you must." His

* * *

taking in the vast expanse of farmland stretching out before us. Horses and cows

palpable, and I can't help but share her sentiment. This place seems a little