Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 287 Ava: Seeing Lucas Again

"Ava?"

Lisa shakes me awake, but it takes a few blinks for my eyes to adjust to reality.

"What is it?" My throat is croaky, and I clear it with a few dry coughs.

"Kellan brought dinner. You've been sitting like that for a few hours. I wasn't sure if I should bother you or not."

My muscles protest as I push myself to my feet, my entire body stiff after hours of stillness. Every joint in my body seems to creak and pop, like I'm twenty years older than I am. Or maybe it's just the weight of everything bearing down on me.

"Thanks," I mumble as Lisa hands me a plate with a simple turkey sandwich. The sight of food makes my stomach growl, and I realize I'm ravenous.

I take a bite, savoring the simple flavors. It's nothing fancy, but right now it tastes like the best thing I've ever eaten. Lisa watches me, concern etched on her face.

"Did you make any progress?" she asks hesitantly, after depositing the wardstone between us for security. It's only a ten-foot radius; better to keep it close.

I grimace, swallowing hard. "I'm not sure if what I did was considered progress."

Lisa's eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean?"

I take another bite, chewing slowly as I try to gather my thoughts. How do I even explain what happened? The eerie forest, the mysterious pond, the spirit... it all seems so surreal now that I'm back in the real world.

"There's a place I go sometimes. It's like some sort of magical realm, but it feels kind of like a dream. This time, there was a dead forest and a dark pond. And a spirit."

Lisa tilts her head. "A spirit? Like a ghost, or…?"

I shake my head. "No, not like that. More like... a guardian, I guess? Of the magic in that place. But I still don't know where that place was, or why I was there."

Resting her chin in her hand, she watches me eat. "Well, where were you trying to go?"

"To the book. Well, I wasn't trying to go anywhere, but I wanted to connect with the book."

"So doesn't it stand to reason that it has something to do with the book? That place, and the spirit?"

that somehow makes my memories clearer, I think back. The spirit never gave me their name, but gave up Grimoire's without a second thought. The spirit somehow knew about Grimoire and my connection, and knows a lot about

Could it be…?

the sandwich in my hands. I want to go back to that place

have to

"What is it?"

think. If the spirit is Grimoire, then that place is—what? I don't know. Either Grimoire's

are too many

it a hellhole. Said

Curious. Very curious.

is the book. I just missed

* * *

to sleep before trying again, despite the anticipation coursing through my veins. I'm sure she's right—it would be better to try

of urgency, like I'm lagging

a few

But first, Lucas.

from side to side, wondering if he'll be happy to see me.

eggs and toast, and a quick shower later, I'm back at the hospital, meeting a familiar unfriendly face at

this morning before disappearing for whatever he has to do to keep the pack running—but Marcus is, and his

"Oh. You again."

I say, forcing maximum cheer into

impassive at my words. I'm sure

wants visitors?" she suggests,

snap. Without turning, I raise my hand slightly, a silent signal for him to stand down. This

voice. "Do you do this for every patient under your care when a visitor arrives? Or is there

clearly not used to being called out so directly. I can almost see the gears turning in her head as she tries to formulate a response that won't get

says, her tone clipped. "We

hands on the counter. "And does this protocol extend to all visitors, or

to Marcus standing behind me, then back to me. "All

"Because I couldn't help but notice yesterday that several other visitors walked right in without being questioned. In fact, I don't recall seeing anyone make a single phone

anger and embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "I-I don't

to do your job fairly and without discrimination. Unless, of course, there's a specific reason

can feel Marcus shifting behind me, probably itching to step in. But I need to handle this on my own. I'm tired of this. Tired of