Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 309 Ava: Grimoire's Plans

Ignoring Sister Miriam's curious stare, I dart for the cupboard where Grimoire's resting.

I rush to the cupboard, my fingers tingling as they make contact with Grimoire's supple leather cover. The moment I touch him, his mental shouts pierce my mind like a blast of thunder.

"Grimoire, for the love of all that's holy, quiet down!" I wince, pressing my free hand to my temple. "Speak at a normal volume before you shatter my mental eardrums."

The roaring stops abruptly. Through our bond, I sense an almost sheepish energy emanating from the book. He clears his mental throat.

You've been wasting time theorizing when you could have just consulted with me, Grimoire says, sounding far too condescending for someone who was screaming at me to notice him.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Now you tell me."

"Ava?" Lucas's voice cuts through our conversation. I turn to find him frowning at me, confusion etched across his face. "What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, suddenly aware of how bizarre this must look to him and Sister Miriam. "I'd like you both to meet someone." I hold up the book. "This is Grimoire. He's... well, he's a sentient magic book. And apparently, he has some thoughts on our current situation."

Sister Miriam's eyes widen, a spark of fascination igniting in their depths. She steps forward, hand outstretched. "Fascinating. May I?"

Before I can warn her, her fingers brush the cover. A bright spark erupts between them, and she yanks her hand back with a hiss.

Tell the bloodsucker to keep her hands off me, Grimoire's voice echoes in my mind, indignant.

My lips twitch. "He doesn't want to be touched. He called you a bloodsucker. I don't think he's very friendly."

I'm very friendly, he snaps. When I want to be.

"Well, he's not wrong. Though I prefer the term

I sit next to Lucas once again. "Okay, Grimoire. You've been listening. What

alpha's predicament is indeed complex. The memories aren't gone, merely locked. Think of it as a defense mechanism. The human mind couldn't

we

bomb, he says

no way I

"With a what?"

forward. "What did he

Grimoire's words quickly before pressing my hand more firmly against the book's cover. "Care to

with disdain. A magical

of his personality. Not

didn't mean it like that. The way he backpedals would be amusing if

relay his words again, watching their

dangerous," Lucas says,

forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. "It's not entirely without precedent.

not entirely useless, Grimoire says, sounding pleased by

would this 'magical bomb' do? And what are

magical energy, focused on breaking down the mental barriers.

dreading the answer.

just the barriers. It could fragment the mind entirely, leaving nothing but broken

Grimoire's words, feeling

get my memories back or become a

a gradual approach. Instead of a bomb, think of it as a slow erosion. We could use magic to slowly wear away at the barriers, allowing memories to

I say, hope rising in my chest. "What's the