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 underestimate what is in front of

only makes me want to touch it, but I shove that impulse away. "So, where

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

many made it. There were so many injured wolves; there's no

many died that

live knowing they brought

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

to go,"

nod, following Elverly out of our cramped safe room. The old woman's silence is eerie. No biting remarks, no

different. Heavier, somehow. The Grand Sage

twenty steps

twenty, I turn back and gasp. The safe room shimmers and

a step forward. It reappears, as solid as ever. Another step back, and it's gone

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

works, but he cuts me off with a wave of his

need to start walking," he says, already

into step behind him, Elverly bringing up the

much cover out here. It's mostly rolling plains, with a few copses of trees scattered about. "Won't they have seen

the sound

see she's still her

he says,

effort. Have I ever been this weak in my life? Pretty sure I came

thighs burn, and I'm panting like

Elverly hisses, her voice grating on my already frayed