Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 339 Ava: Defend the Pack

Aurum's golden figure streaks through the wolves defending us, in an unerring line straight for the closest vampire.

Seconds later, there's a blood-curdling roar.

Stop standing around staring, Grimoire says, unaffected by the fear crawling through my skin. They need your help.

Tearing my eyes from Aurum/Lucas, I dash forward, my magic-crafted blade cool against my sweaty palm.

"What's next?" I ask, squeezing through a mass of fur and hot bodies. The noise is too loud to hear my own voice, but Grimoire picks up my words straight from my head.

Get closer. You'll hurt an innocent if you try to do anything here. You don't have the control yet.

Ducking under a wildly swinging arm, I come face to face with a stranger. Pale skin. Lips glistening red, cracking at the corners, where you can see pale flesh peeking out beneath the blood.

Fangs. Long fangs, far longer than I ever thought a vampire could have, and red eyes that lock onto mine with unerring accuracy.

Don't go straight for the head, Grimoire warns as I do just that.

My blade whistles through the air. It's a clumsy strike, born of fear and adrenaline rather than skill, and I'm too far in to abort.

A vice-like grip closes around my forearm. The vampire's strength is inhuman, and I'm yanked forward, losing my balance.

if it's a little sluggish and unrefined. With a twist of my body I'd never be able to replicate again, I manage to wrench my arm free of the vampire's grasp. Moving with the momentum, I throw myself into an awkward roll. My shoulder hits the ground hard, but I manage to scrabble back

me, but he's too slow, dragged in various directions. Everyone's grabbing, snapping, clawing at him, even as he fights back. He has

With both hands, I drive my blade into his back, angling

to the blade. Grimoire's command rings

it. I reach for that well of power inside me, channeling heat through my arms and into the blade. The effect is instantaneous. The vampire's body stiffens, then begins to glow from within.

leaving me staggering as he frees himself. The wolves in front

crimson lightning. It's as if the very fabric of reality is tearing apart around him. To my horror, I watch as the vampire's body begins to grow, stretching and contorting into

run, the creature turns

panic. I obey without thinking, feeling claws whistle past my ear. Get your hand on him. Any part of him.

if possessed, following Grimoire's instructions to the letter. The vampire-thing lunges for me and I slam my hand against its face, feeling its fangs cut at

back with another

to your left hand, infuse it with ice. Strike

no thinking left in my magic. It just does what I

my head. Maybe he's taken control of my

blade leaves a trail of frost in its wake, slowing the monster's

Now for his head.

strange vampire thing's head separates from its shoulders

topples, its form twisting and warping until it settles into a more

nostrils, making me want to gag. But as I glance around, confusion replaces the

still. The chaotic battlefield has frozen in an eerie

floor. And yet