Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 395 Ava: Something Strange About Ivy

It isn't that I'm avoiding her because of my feelings. I'm avoiding all the eyes that will be glued to us during our entire interaction. These stupid co-Luna rumors have gotten popular.

"Please. I'd avoid her too." Lisa watches Tommy demonstrate his perfect snowball technique to an attentive audience. "Actually, I am avoiding her. Hence why I'm out here with two thermoses of hot chocolate and way more cups than necessary."

"At least you have an excuse. You're human."

"And you're Luna. You can do whatever you want." She grins. "But there's nothing wrong with strategic avoidance. It's better than snapping and setting her on fire."

I snort. "I wouldn't set her on fire."

"No?" She arches an eyebrow, studying me. "Because your magic is kind of making you sparkly. Thought it might be because you're angry."

I glance down at my hands, noticing the faint shimmer beneath my skin. "That's different. That's just... excess magic."

Strange. I shouldn't have much.

That is strange, Grimoire agrees, sounding confused.

"Right. Excess magic that showed up when someone mentioned her name."

"You're exaggerating."

"Am I?" Lisa's voice drops to a whisper. "Ivy."

The shimmer intensifies. I can see it.

I can, too.

"Stop that, Lise."

pleased with herself. "Though I have to admit, the whole glowing thing is pretty cool. Like

more than I am. I'm freaking out a little and trying to pretend it isn't happening. "It's not cool when

says Lunas can't glow? Maybe it's a feature, not a

to find humor in my magical tells. "Yeah, because nothing says 'respect my authority' like lighting up like a Christmas tree whenever I'm annoyed. Maybe I

knocked over an entire rack of practice weapons. Just... whoosh. Down they

"That was you?"

Kellan had to help clean it up."

"Did you?"

I did pretend to stumble so I wouldn't

the clearing as they perfect their snowball techniques. Their joy is

escort team." That's actually, objectively terrible. It's a tragedy, and I'm over here

see her. You'll notice how the bandage on her face somehow makes her

"Lisa!"

"What? You will."

coming, Selene says

proper Luna

me turning, and my petty irritation dissolves at the sight of Ivy's face. A white bandage covers her

Her voice lacks its usual

forward, leaving Lisa with the

her face, a gesture that seems unconscious rather than calculated. "Much

voice strikes me harder than expected. Whatever issues exist between us, she's lost people who mattered to her.

by real empathy rather

eyes fixed on some distant point. Her voice cracks. "We

losing my own guards? Marcus, Greg, all of them—they're more than just protection. They're

chocolate," I offer.

at the clearing where the children play, their laughter a stark contrast

The words slip out without thinking. Maybe it's the grief etched into her face, or maybe

voice carries none of its usual musical lilt. "I'd appreciate