Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 399 Ava: Magic Awareness

I slap my forehead. "Son of a bitch!"

The attack on Ivy's people. The possibility of corruption in our pack. Both conversations I needed to have with Lucas slip through my fingers like water. My teeth catch my inner cheek as I consider his current load—the president's assassination, the supernatural reveal, our tenuous position in this world.

I guess I can wait a little.

"Something wrong?" Grimoire floats upside down in front of me, his red hair touching the ground.

"Just remembered I need to talk to Lucas about Ivy and the corruption." I release my cheek with a sigh. "But with everything happening right now..."

"Ah. Perhaps waiting until tonight or tomorrow would be wiser. The situation with the government takes precedence."

"My thoughts exactly." I rub my temples. "Speaking of Ivy though—how long would we need to spend around her to get familiar with whatever's happening there? To really understand what we're dealing with?"

Grimoire's begins to slowly circle in midair, his hair oddly hypnotizing as it obeys gravity. "I cannot even begin to guess. The nature of corruption is... unpredictable. What manifests in one person might present entirely differently in another. We can only start by trying."

A grimace pulls at my lips. The prospect of spending extended time with Ivy, watching and waiting for signs of something amiss, makes my stomach turn. But if there's even a chance she's been touched by the taint...

"Wonderful," I mutter. "Just wonderful."

You should keep an eye on her anyway. Selene's disgruntled mood is clear, her mind voice more of a grumble than anything else.

"I know, I know. I can't bring her with me, but at least between purifications..." My fingers tap against my thigh as I consider the logistics. "I could invite her to help with the refugees, I guess. That's what she would be doing anyway."

But the thought of purification snags in my mind like a hook. Obviously, I can purify Ivy now. But if I do that, I lose my chance at recognizing this low-level corruption among others in my pack.

"Does it make me a bad person? To let her suffer just so I can figure out what corruption looks like in others?"

Grimoire stops his slow rotation, hanging upside down again with his eyes fixed on mine. "She isn't suffering yet. She's the ideal test subject."

"When you put it that way, it sounds worse." My fingers twist in the hem of my shirt. "But if there's even a chance others are corrupted... if we can learn what to look for..."

It's practical, Selene offers. But you're asking the wrong question.

"What do you mean?"

The real question isn't whether you're a bad person. It's whether you can live with the consequences of your choice.

"Consider this," Grimoire says, finally righting himself. "What would Ivy choose, if given the option? To be purified immediately, or to help protect the pack by allowing us to study the corruption's effects?"

"That's not fair. She'd choose to help the pack because that's what she thinks will prove her loyalty. She'd martyr herself for a chance at acceptance."

But then I feel like shit for saying that, because… well, my issues with her aside, Ivy's always been devoted to her pack. I shake my head. "No. She would do it because it's the right thing to do."

Then perhaps you should respect that choice.

"But it's not her choice if we don't tell her, Selene."

He's already upside down again. "The fact that you're struggling with this decision speaks

"We should tell her. We already know what she's going to say, right? So we don't lose out on anything. I

much, but

probably take credit, Selene

She will deserve it this

right, even if it means giving up tactical

I suppose.

Selene, floating just above her head as he pokes at her

against her skull.

what you've forgotten? About your connection

I said no.

a tiny

and forth. That's the best

you prefer 'for the good of all

stay out

like a tennis match. The bickering is almost... comforting. Normal. A break from

all we could learn!" Grimoire spreads his arms wide. "The secrets of the past, the true nature of your bond with

nature of

bite back

He started it.

gravity this time. "I merely

You want to go poking

not like you're using all

room. I will bite

can't bite a

can bite you as a

to keep the smile from my

rights himself with a dramatic sigh. "I'm simply saying, if there are memories lost, they

memories, Selene snaps. Mine. Not yours to rifle through like old

"But—"

No.

"What if—"

Also no.

"You're being unreasonable."

You're being pushy.

back, crossing my arms. "You know, Selene, he does have a point. Those

betrayal echoing through our bond. I thought you

on your side. But that doesn't

preens. "Thank

want to know what's in my head? Selene bares her teeth. Mostly

you." Grimoire circles her slowly. "But surely there must be

my temples.

it, Selene repeats, but there's less heat in

them both with what I hope is a stern look. "Grimoire, stop pushing. Selene,

to look somewhat