Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 423: Ava: New Order

These two know each other?

"Indeed it has, Orion." The Grand Sage is dwarfed next to the Magister. He speaks with warmth, though. "Though I wish our reunion came under better circumstances. This isn't the first time I've caught you breaking into one of my ships, is it?"

"Ah. It was yours, then. We were concerned… Well, never mind that." The giant man looks sheepish as he ducks his head. "My apologies, Grand Sage. Though now that I am seeing you both, I must ask—is your friend safe now? The human girl?"

"Lisa?" My heart swells at his concern. Even after all this time, he remembers. "Yes, she's safe."

The Grand Sage nods in confirmation. "We've kept her well protected since her return."

"Good, good." Magister Orion's shoulders relax slightly. "We have feared the worst in these past months. Establishing contact with friends has become impossible with the New Order in place."

"The New Order?" My throat tightens as memories of the press conference flash through my mind. The President's vacant stare. His monotone voice. The way everything felt wrong.

That must be it.

Of course they have some terrible name like the New Order.

"Ah." Magister Orion's face darkens. "You've seen them, then?"

"The President's speech, right?" I shift my weight, and the sole of my boots squeak over packed snow. "It was strange. All the supernaturals there."

New Order seized control months ago. They've systematically dismantled every

clear harmony between us. He looks at Magister Orion's party, inspecting

unregistered territories have fallen." He spreads his massive hands.

did no

and hard, are also hoarse. "The New Order was thorough. They infiltrated every level of power. By the time anyone realized what was happening, it was too late. That was the

we suspected, Selene

together over time, though we still

their people in every major pack. Every vampire coven. They monitor everything. They're determined to maintain their power. Any

my body, before leaving my legs feeling a little like jelly. Greg reaches out

vibration it was doing earlier, but

and my mind refuses to process the implications. It has so many other questions right now.

I saw you—" My voice cracks. The memory of that night still haunts me: Magister Orion telling us to escape. The door exploding. Guards invading, yelling for his arrest. "They said you murdered Florice. How did you get

particular misunderstanding was cleared up rather quickly. It was little more

as simple as a misunderstanding. They sent in

if they were more interested in me, it seems like overkill to

up from behind him, her mechanical wings whirring as she speaks up for the first time. It's good to see her, too.

out of a Fae

"Little witch, they never got me that

the others?" Immediately, I think of Layla. She's missing. Most of the faces here with

a