Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 286 Ava: Not Yet Ready

"Sealed? By the water, you mean?"

"Of course not." They look irritated now, likely by how slow my brain is catching up to their thought process. "The seals, girl."

"So, a lockbox?"

"Lockb—you humans have such odd innovations." The way they're peering into my face, it feels like they're tearing apart my memories to educate themselves.

"In a sense, I suppose. It isn't that easy." They sit.

In the air.

Floating.

Just—there. As if one would lower themself into a chair, only there's nothing there.

"Why so surprised?" they ask, tilting their head as they blink owlishly in my direction.

Gesturing toward them, I just say, "You're floating. In mid-air."

They roll their eyes again, a surprisingly human gesture for such an otherworldly being. "And you're standing on the ground. How extraordinary."

Their sarcasm catches me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything like this before."

abruptly once again. "Why are you here, girl? This isn't a place for casual

takes a while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I

flashing across their ethereal features. "You

in my mind. "What

obtuse child they're obligated to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to

my veins, my heart beat rapid and shallow. "Grimoire? You mean my

know many things, girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once

trying to stumble into anything. I'm just trying to connect with my book. With, uh, Grimoire?" It makes sense that it—he—would have a

on

with Grimoire?" They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the world changed so

The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their

shrug. "Time is

further questioning will only lead me nowhere. They don't seem interested in a two-way conversation, only in satiating their own curiosity. "How can I

around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond our small circle of vibrant green, there's nothing but a vast expanse of dead forest. The contrast is stark—life and death separated by an

else is out

is Grimoire, little human thing?" the

and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know better than

who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your own book

know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured

flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal,

which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just

chill runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse for