Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 290 Ava: Imbalance

"You're really bad at taking care of yourself, aren't you?"

The little bit of life I'd managed to bring back to the forest is already dwindling, but the spirit—Grimoire, I'm pretty sure—is floating in the air when I open my eyes, lying on their side with their head propped on their hand.

"Excuse me?" What a welcome.

"Not eating. Don't even notice you have a fever. Wild magic inside of you." They shake their head. "You'll implode at this rate."

A fever? My forehead feels cool to touch. "I don't have a fever."

"Your hand is as hot as your—never mind. Not my problem if humans want to kill themselves." They roll over, presenting their back to me.

"What do you mean by wild magic? And why would I implode?"

The spirit waves their hand dismissively, not even bothering to look at me. Their indifference is frustrating.

Last time, they spoke with me after I connected with the magic hidden here.

Fine. If that's what it takes to get answers, I'll try again.

Once I focus, the hidden magic pulses beneath the lake, calling my attention.

I touch my forehead discreetly. It feels cool to me, but the spirit's words nag at the back of my mind. Could I really have a fever?

Pushing the thought aside, I concentrate on the magic thrumming beneath the water, the faintest whisper of it grazing the land. Reaching out with my senses, I try to coax it to life once more.

At first, nothing happens. The forest remains silent, the air still. But then, slowly, I feel a warmth spreading from my fingertips. It travels up my arms, settling in my chest before radiating outward.

The golden glow returns, seeping from my hands into the ground. It spreads like veins through the earth, bringing color and vitality.

strange heat building inside

to engage. To my surprise, they're hovering closer now, their ethereal form shimmering with

muse. "You're more persistent than I gave

mean you'll answer my

their head, regarding me with those unfathomable eyes.

magical beings ever give straight answers? Is it against some freaking supernatural

just

thoughts. "Okay, then what should I

with why you're here?" They gesture to the revitalized forest around us.

separated from my teacher. I'm on

humans. Never paying attention. There are

a little different from breathing,

feel that way

they're a spirit, and I'm

lot of sass in your head for someone asking

throat, trying to keep my thoughts out

uncontrolled, is a force of nature. It responds to your emotions, your desires, but without

say consume—I was told I needed a teacher so I wouldn't kill myself and

happened to you humans quite a bit, hasn't it?" They're rotating in the air, spinning slowly until they're

from the world around you, but you're not giving anything back. It's like trying to fill a cup with a hole in the bottom.

They'd mentioned witches gave back. Is this what

"Yes."

do wizards control

Their body continues to rotate slowly in the air, defying gravity in a way that makes my head spin if I focus on

their voice taking on a slightly mocking tone, "they think they're so clever. They've found a way to cheat the system, or so

to understand. "What do

they feel the pressure building up, they funnel that excess energy into these constructs. Imagine a pot of boiling water. Instead of turning down the heat, they just keep