Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 369 Ava: Camp

We're about to call it quits and find a spot to camp when something pings the edge of my magical radar.

Of course, I want to go straight there and purify it. But we still have to put up the tent, start a fire, and make dinner, and it's over a mile away.

It's one thing to make myself suffer; it's another to force the others to set up camp in the dark because I want to push our timeline.

The sled slows to a gradual stop, runners creaking against packed snow. That pulse of dark energy beckons, but the practical part of my brain overrides it. Night comes early, and I can always get to it in the morning.

Wiggling out from under the mass of blankets keeping me warm during our run—which has spanned a much larger area than we normally would, with how little corruption we've run into—I grab the flat pack I'd been sitting on for hours.

Vanessa's already unhooked the wolves from the sled, and they shift right there in the snow.

The pack had been wedged beneath me during the ride, keeping their spare clothes from freezing solid. A simple solution, but effective. My body heat combined with the magic flowing through me meant the clothes would be wearable, if not exactly toasty.

"The taint feels different." I stretch my legs, stiff from hours of sitting. "More concentrated."

"All the more reason to rest and prepare properly." Vanessa throws sets of thermal gear at the naked shifters, who get dressed with a speed I cannot replicate. "We don't need you collapsing from exhaustion again."

"I didn't do anything today," I protest. Which is true. Aside from clearing up a few mini clouds we've run into, I've just enjoyed a long-ass ride behind four wolves who've broken trail all day.

They're the ones she should worry about.

But they just shimmy into their clothes, acting as if they've done little more than go for a brisk evening jog.

puff white in the gathering dusk. No one complains about the cold—we're all too focused on getting camp

Greg make quick work of clearing a large rectangular space, laying two tarps across the packed snow. Their efficiency speaks of years of experience; I'm still working on what everything

rest of us work together to unload, but I'm more

back." Marcus pulls a long bag from the

poles snapping into place with satisfying

the pieces together while Marcus tosses sleeping bags

The tent feels empty, and

of which—can you sense prey with

not that sensitive. I can sense corruption and dark energy, and sometimes people—especially if I'm attuned to them—but

Grimoire's voice echoes in my mind. But you're nowhere near ready for

reveals Selene's absence.

Hunting, comes her reply.

several larger pieces of wood, perfect for starting the

soon." I arrange the kindling in the stove, grateful for the promise

"The water's frozen, so we'll have to melt some snow. Great job on the

these small metal stoves together, I had no idea what I was doing. The idea of having

fire started with practiced ease; even though I can do it with magic, he prefers the old-fashioned way. Says it just isn't right, relying on magic that way. The kindling catches quickly, and soon the stove radiates a gentle warmth through the

and various bags of food. She

they catch anything?" My curiosity takes over as I watch her sort through dried

won't eat until midnight. Better to get

beginning to melt. The temperature

cutting board, knife, and a bag of vegetables. "Make yourself