Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 334 Ava: Securing the Perimeter

The branch trembles in my hand as I trace the intricate pattern onto the exposed earth. Sweat beads on my forehead despite the chill in the air. I've never done anything like this before, but Grimoire guides me through each step.

First, a rune.

Then, to tie in all four elements.

"Hold it steady, Vester," I mutter, glancing up at him. He's holding Grimoire open, carefully following me around the circle without stepping on any of my work.

You're doing well, Grimoire's voice echoes in my mind. Remember, precision is key.

I nod, focusing back on the task at hand. The rune is complex, all swirling lines and sharp angles. One mistake could render the whole thing useless. No pressure, right?

I'm not entirely certain how these runes and glyphs work, but Grimoire assures me they're what we need. Of course, I have questions like who was the first one to discover these glyphs and why do random glyphs have the power to do crazy things, but Grimoire just tells me to try to understand basic magic before diving into advanced history.

Not super helpful.

Finally, the last line connects, and I sit back on my heels, surveying my work. It's not perfect, but it's close enough. I hope. A rune that spans across five feet in a rough circle of earth we've cleared for this purpose.

"Now what?" Vester asks, his voice low.

"Now, we fill it with twigs," I explain, reaching for the pile we've gathered. "They need to be connected, like a network."

We work in silence, carefully placing small sticks and brush into the inch-deep grooves I've carved. It's painstaking work, but eventually, we finish.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and reach for my magic. It comes easier now, a warm current flowing through my veins. I direct it towards the flammable debris, willing them to ignite.

A soft whoosh fills the air, and when I open my eyes, the entire rune is ablaze. Fire dances along the lines, consuming the sacrifice of fuel with glee.

"Impressive," Vester murmurs, and I can't help but feel a small surge of pride.

As the last of the twigs turn to ash, I call upon my magic again. This time, I summon water, watching as it pools in the grooves, turning the ash into a murky slurry. Slowly, the water seeps into the earth, leaving behind damp, ashen lines.

Water. Wind. It's all

instructs. Visualize your

cool dampness against my palms. Closing my eyes, I imagine my magic as a golden light, seeping from my fingertips

eyes, the rune is glowing with a soft, golden light. It pulses once, twice, three times before fading

begins to move. The grooves fill themselves in, erasing any trace of our work. Within moments, it looks like we've

breathes. He's

to find evidence of the ward. But there's nothing there—at least not to

it. Senses the ward I've placed

shaky in my head, but I can see that they

and

dirt

out more like a sigh. "Not even close. We need

going to take all

Grimoire

information to Vester, whose expression grows concerned. "Can you keep

pride a bit. "I managed well enough the night you rescued me," I

for a moment, then

* * *

perimeter done before it's too dark to see. Vester hands me a

my body has no energy

only force your body to draw more magic in. Make sure you

into my bones. I hadn't expected it to drop this drastically. A shiver runs through me, and I clench my jaw to keep my

and drapes it over my shoulders. The residual warmth from his body envelops me, and I

you," I murmur,

he usually is. Instead, he shifts into his wolf form as we walk. His fur ripples in the dim light;

pads ahead, leading the way back

him so much. Vester's quiet strength and kindness shine

Ever since I've started working with the pack, it's come to feel like home. More than any other place I've lived before; even more than my precious apartment in

have purpose.

I see