Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 292 Ava: Renewed Connection

When I open my eyes this time, Lisa's napping on the couch. Grimoire, in book form, is on the ground before me.

Seeing him in that form, a question comes to my mind—something I'd forgotten to ask him in that strange mental-magical dimension. Why did he send me to Magister Orion and the Fae Ward, if he had little respect for wizards?

That thick cord within me, the new bond linking me with Grimoire, vibrates intensely, seeming almost irritated. Without thinking, I stroke the cover of the book, trying to calm down this dog-like spirit within.

Once my fingers contact the cover, I can hear his voice inside my head, sounding like a sulky child and not a hulking spirit with flames covering his skin. Odd how they didn't burn me, though.

I have respect for wizards, he snaps peevishly. They're just idiots sometimes.

Yeah. So respectful.

Respect comes in many forms.

I laugh. My mind has been so quiet without Selene; having Grimoire in it is a different feeling, but it helps soothe the loneliness.

Lisa jerks upright at the sound of my voice. "Ave?" Her groggy voice makes me smile.

"Hey. You look tired."

"Sorry. Just dozed off while thinking…" Her eyes drop to the book I'm touching. "Is that it?! Did you do it?"

Bouncing off the couch, she practically slides across the floor, up on her hands and knees over it. "It even looks old and magical. Holy shit, Ava. You did it!"

Tell her to stop breathing on me.

Ignoring Grimoire, I take a moment to reach out with my senses, trying to see if I can get even a glimmer of Selene anywhere.

Do you need my help?

Glancing at the book beneath my fingertips, I raise my brows. "Are you able to?"

"Able to what?" Lisa asks, reaching out to run a finger down the worn leather cover.

Tell her to stop touching me and I will.

"He doesn't want you to touch him."

She jerks her hand back, mortified. "Oh. I'm sorry."

If you pour magic into our bond, I can amplify.

Okay. I get the English, but it's like reading directions putting together a dresser. They make no sense without pictures.

Just do it.

Closing my eyes—

that? You can't see if your

eyes open, I scowl at the

with your

helps when

then you

talking to the

my head, as long

our bond strengthens, I will be able to

wonder how he and Selene will coexist in my head. It feels like a pretty small space for three

agrees, in a

It is, he confirms.

yank my hand off the book, only for that new connection inside of me to

you're going to insult

sense of remorse. It's odd

at the door startles me from my thoughts. I glance at Lisa,

the floor,

to see Vanessa standing there. Her usually calm demeanor is gone, replaced by a harried expression that makes my stomach twist.

"Vanessa? What's wrong?"

around the corners. "You need to come

any questions from forming on my lips. Whatever's

call over my shoulder,

wait for her response before stepping out and closing the door behind me. Vanessa's already moving, and I hurry to keep up with her

the direction of the hospital, my heart clenches. Lucas. It has to be Lucas. What's wrong?

frustration. Right, I left him behind. I'm sorry, I think, hoping he can hear me even though I'm not touching the book. I'll

space in my head, is

the front desk without challenge, a strange tension in the air. There's something odd in the way people look at

There were plenty of male staff this

Stranger and stranger still.

door and opens it, ushering me inside before closing the door behind

Bizarre.

eyes are immediately drawn to the

propped up against a mountain of pillows. His face is pale, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. But it's his eyes that catch my attention—they're

heart beats faster, wondering if he's

he says, but the intonation is all wrong. It doesn't

Lucas. But then why is he

"Are you oka—"

lunges off the bed. His hands grab my wrists, slamming me back against the closed door. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs,

chest. This isn't like him at all. Even without his

trickles down his forehead, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. His hands

asks, his voice rough

to get you back to bed. You're sick." Wolves don't