Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 276 Lisa: Dr. Blackwell Returns

LISA

"We're here," the Grand Sage announces, and my cramped muscles shriek with relief. We've been traveling at a snail's pace—his words, because we can't see outside—for what feels like forever. Morning? Night? It doesn't matter. We live in a box.

If it wasn't for a cleverly hidden toilet (which is gnome-sized—I 100% do not recommend using one as an adult human female), we would have been fucked. Even then, it was awkward. There's no privacy because there isn't room for it.

"We have a bit of a walk ahead of us," he continues, pressing buttons that enlarge our space, our little magitech Rubik's cube unfolding. The gadgets hidden away by the walls reappear in their organized glory of clutter.

One catches my eye; it looks like a small gun. He's shown it to me a few times. Pretty easy to use; point and shoot, but with a wallop that comes from its magitech origins.

After the vamp fiasco, I'm all for weapons. Give me all of them. Strap them to every inch of me. I never want to feel that helpless again.

"Can I take that with us?"

He smiles. "Of course. I'll link it to your bracelet."

"Link?" This is new.

"This will help maintain your affinity levels at the lowest synchronization rate. While our people have no magical affinity, it's a necessary concern for you."

It sounds reasonable, in that way IT people try to explain computer problems but it goes over my head. "Okay."

Elverly grabs a few gadgets I don't recognize, things that she shoves under her clothes in strategic locations. The Grand Sage takes only a pen. It's an exquisite pen, but still a pen.

"No weapons?"

it up with a gentle smile. "Do not

makes me want to touch it, but I shove that

Pack wolves. They will be on edge. The survivors of the attack should already be there; we have

were so many injured wolves; there's no way they

died that

live knowing they

trying to dislodge the unsettling thoughts. The Grand Sage's eyes are on me, curiosity evident in

to go,"

woman's silence is eerie. No biting remarks, no insults about my incompetence. It's almost as unsettling as the situation

The Grand Sage fiddles

steps forward," he

step carefully. At twenty, I turn back and gasp.

forward. It reappears, as solid

the Grand Sage explains, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your

mouth to ask how exactly the bracelet works, but

walking," he says,

my questions and fall into step

a few

us long ago," Elverly snaps, and the sound of her voice has me jumping in

to see she's

he

in my life? Pretty sure I came out of the womb stronger than this. Even breathing feels like

My thighs burn, and I'm

voice grating