Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 436: Ava: Wards

Grimoire appears, floating in mid-air, in his preferred form of a child. "I'm not up to anything, you suspicious mutt."

Selene's lips curl back, exposing sharp teeth in a silent warning. The darker fur along her spine bristles, but she remains where she is. Grimoire ignores her.

"What's going through that head of yours?" I ask, feeling a vague sense of trepidation tickling its way down my spine. "You're plotting something. I can tell."

"I believe it's time we seriously consider removing your soul's wards." Grimoire's childlike form hovers as he rotates slowly, his hair and clothes the only things that move according to gravity. It's a trick he doesn't do often; not everyone in Wolf's Landing knows he exists. Outside of our cabin, he's usually in the form of a fox, if he takes a form at all.

A few have seen the red-haired child, but not often enough to cause rumors. While everyone knows about Selene, few know about this second magical being in my head.

"My what?" Frowning, I turn his words over in my head. They're strange and don't make sense. Soul wards? "What are you talking about?"

Grimoire's palm meets his forehead with a sharp smack; it's a mannerism he's picked up from watching the pack's children, and looks odd when he does it. "Not this again. We've had this conversation before, Ava."

A chill races across my skin. My gaze darts to Selene, whose ears now lay flat against her skull.

Yes, Selene says, answering my unspoken question. I remember this discussion. We decided it wasn't worth the risk.

That's impossible. I would remember being a part of this conversation. "When did we talk about this?"

It's been quite some time now, but not long enough for you to forget.

points out. "She forgot my words on our first meeting, as well." His form is finally upside down as

"What are these wards?"

what we believe prevent you from shifting. They're

information I'd forget so completely. My heart trembles, and I wrap my arms around myself. As if I can hold all my

Selene again, because—they

her chin against the floor,

she says, her presence warm and soothing in my head, like a metaphysical hug. Can you

missing pieces. Everything feels whole, complete—and that terrifies me more than finding holes would. At least Selene has

understand. Wouldn't I notice if

floats closer, upright once

other conversations we've had that you

little more than a minor bump in the road. "At least

my body, but the cold isn't from the winter air. "And these wards are on my soul? What are they supposed

links. It's only my theory,

as she is. Selene's hackles rise. We agreed it isn't worth the risk. You

pyres is sudden and overwhelming. Twenty-seven names. The pack's howls of grief still echo

head spins, aching with Grimoire's words. With how desperately I want more strength. And the terrifying idea I

and machines to keep me alive? Lucas would do that—waiting for the day I woke

lowers himself until he's standing on the ground and walks toward me

his tiny body and pull him onto my lap, grateful for the warmth he brings. It's enough to chase