Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 431: Ava: Ivy's Fate

Magister Orion and his Fae friends are settled into the Grand Sage's cabin, though there isn't much room. Elverly, shockingly, takes it all in stride, without a single complaint. She treats the Fae with respect; it's so strange, coming out of that cranky old gnome woman. Is she ill?

Magister Orion settles into his vigil over the dream-eater, and the weight of responsibility lifts from my shoulders, if only for a moment. He's the only other person who can help me in this situation.

It's nice to have backup.

I am here, Grimoire points out.

It's not the same.

The question burns in my throat, but I need to know. Everyone else has left the room—once Elverly's room, but we've moved her bed into the Grand Sage's in order to use it as a temporary holding cell—except for Magister Orion, who studies the dream-eater's unconscious form with intense focus.

"Magister." My voice is soft; it's hard to let the words come out. "I need to ask you something."

His eyes meet mine. "Yes, child?"

"Ivy Shadowpine. She's a wolf shifter, a strong one. She's been missing since the dream-eater appeared at our hospital."

His head inclines slightly, encouraging me to go on.

"There was a strange feeling within her, something that felt corrupted and alive inside her."

His expression shifts, a subtle tightening around his eyes. "You suspect possession."

"Is it possible?" Heat rises to my face. "Could the dream-eater have taken over her body?" It's a fantastical question, especially once the dream-eater showed a form that doesn't look anything like Ivy. But she's still missing, and there's no other conclusion I can come to.

gaze returns to the creature. His massive frame seems to grow still, like a statue

answer is expected, but still horrifying. My stomach churns.

creatures do not possess in the way you are thinking; they leave no trace

my throat. It's hard to imagine such

been subtle. The dream-eater did not take her body, but

this creature was walking among us, wearing her face.

learned her mannerisms, her relationships."

to head out?" Kellan's voice breaks through the conversation as

waves his hand at me. "Go.

floor. "I'm ready. Could you call Vanessa to meet us at your cabin? I need to speak with

a second. "Done. She's on

* * *

I did, and she admits she suspected much of the same. We both wonder how long Ivy's been gone, but it's

little comfort. The scent of coffee fills the air—rich, bitter, and mildly nauseating, like

are dirt in my mouth. "If Lucas doesn't make it back

it." Kellan's voice carries that stern Beta authority, probably because

his steely gaze. "It has to come from me. It would be disrespectful..." My voice trails off. The memory of Ivy confiding in me at the hospital…

does Lucas do this? How does he handle

rustle as she shifts in her chair. Dark circles ring her eyes, testament to the chaos of the day. "You're doing fine, Ava. It's always rough the first

I don't wish I had her experience, but I do wish I

many?" I ask, deciding to shelve the Ivy issue for now. My brain can't

Three more are critical.

Twenty-seven.

My heart aches.