Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 291 Ava: New Bond

Leaning forward, I stare at the spirit, who seems nonplussed by the intensity of my gaze.

"What?" They sound defensive for the first time.

"You aren't fond of wizards or magicians, are you?"

They scowl. "I am not fond of humans, human."

"I told you, I'm Lycan." Kind of.

"Hmm." They don't sound convinced. I guess I can't blame them. It isn't like I can shift.

"You're Grimoire, aren't you?"

In between one blink and the next, they're now standing in front of me, feet firmly planted against the ground and taller than before. How tall? Seven feet? Eight?

Are those flames I see flickering over their skin? Yes. Yes, those are.

Gone is the ethereal, androgynous being. In their place stands a towering figure, flames dancing across skin that seems both solid and intangible. His hair is as red as blood, his eyes an unnerving silver, and he's unmistakably male.

I keep my eyes on his face.

His hand shoots out, gripping my arm with surprising strength. I try to pull away, but his hold is unyielding.

"How did you know?" His voice, deep and undeniably masculine now, rumbles through me.

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to struggle against his grip. "It seemed pretty obvious in retrospect." My eyes dart to his face, taking in features that seem both ancient and ageless. "Why do you look and sound different now?"

A smile spreads across his face, transforming his stern expression into something almost warm. "You're simply seeing me for who I am, Ava Grey."

I glance around, momentarily distracted by the transformation of our surroundings. The clearing, once bordered by decay and darkness, now teems with vibrant life. Lush greenery stretches as far as I can see, pulsing with an energy that makes my skin tingle.

"Let go of me," I say, tugging at my arm again.

His grip doesn't budge. "I can't. I must maintain contact with you for the transfer."

sounds a little unnerving.

my arm and pushing against his chest with my free hand. It's like

tone both commanding and oddly gentle.

on," I demand, forcing myself to stand still despite the panic creeping up my chest. "What transfer are

eyes, now a swirling mix of silver and white, bore into mine. "The transfer of knowledge, of course. You

hesitantly, not entirely sure I like where this

and

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Okay.

eyes

courses through his hand into my arm. It's like being struck by lightning, every nerve in my body lighting up at once. I gasp, my knees buckling under the onslaught of

and information flood my mind. Centuries of magical knowledge, secrets

and flow of magic throughout history. I witness the triumphs and

transfer ends. I sag against Grimoire, my head spinning from the influx of

I am," he replies, his voice echoing strangely

trying to focus on his face. The world seems sharper somehow, colors more vivid and textures more defined. There's an undeniable pull between us now, and the string within me is thick and sturdy, filled with a warm presence that I

he keeps a steadying hand

My head hurts.

like it's splitting

that for a while. My

my body with violent shivers. The warmth from earlier is gone, replaced by

my forehead, his brows tugging together in concern. "Your fever has worsened.

chatter as I wrap my arms around myself, trying to step away from him, despite wanting to lean into the warmth of his body. "W-why

you not come

looks like a wounded

a magic book, not bond with you. Whatever you are." He's old and magical, but he's definitely more than just

between us, his finger tracing an invisible line. "Our souls

linked to?" My voice is eerily calm,

his full height, which has now shrunk to a more normalized six-foot-something.

and Lucas are the other pieces of my soul," I reply

out his chest, looking both proud and slightly miffed. "Well, I am now

first conversation. "I distinctly remember you saying

eyes dramatically. "Who wants more peace and silence after hundreds of years of

still trying to

then that I truly understand—the