Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 439: Ava: Soul Magic

Magister Orion's footsteps echo against the floor of my cabin as he circles me for the tenth time. The sound matches the thrum of anxiety in my chest. Each time he passes behind me, my shoulders tense.

"Please stay still." His deep voice carries notes of concentration.

A warm breeze tickles my scalp as he places his hand near my head again. The sensation reminds me of warm summer days spent out in the sun—pleasant, but unremarkable.

"I apologize, but I must try once more."

My legs itch from standing so still. "Take your time."

His frown deepens with each pass. The wrinkles around his eyes become more pronounced as he squints, as if trying to see through fog.

"I cannot detect what you're describing." He lowers his hand. "The ability to inspect a soul is not a magic we use among the Fae. I sense nothing unusual about you." He then adds hastily, "I'm not doubting your word. Whatever this magic is, it's beyond my understanding. Beyond my sight."

Damn it. With Magister's obsession over reading all things magic-oriented, I'd hoped… "I see. Thank you."

Magister Orion's expression softens. "This simply means we need a different approach. Sister Miriam might have better answers for you."

My shoulders slump at the mention of her name. "I haven't heard from her in months. I don't even know if she's okay."

"Ah." He strokes his chin, his swirling, blue-black eyes distant. "It's likely dangerous for her to attempt contact outside the New Order at present."

She's alive. My heart thumps; while she isn't on my mind daily, I've been worried about her for quite some time. "Why?"

fixes on mine, then slides away as he walks toward the couch to take a seat. "Sister Miriam has worked her way into the bosom of the New

be so evasive. The

allies. It is understandable she wouldn't risk contacting those she wants to keep

unwelcome jolt in my

qualms. A dhampir is not like us, Ava. Their

sit right with me. Sister Miriam might be cryptic and strange, but she doesn't seem the type to sacrifice others. She's helped us so many times, demanding little to nothing in return. "What do

weight. A weary hand waves through the air. "That's

"But—"

to change the subject.

in my mind. The sound reminds me of thunder rolling

two of

disdain. Have you seen how his eyes light up at the mere mention of

over Grimoire's book form, scribbling notes with fevered

rests her head on the Magister's leg, allowing him to pet her head and ears

of fascination for him. "Still so fascinating. A wolf spirit

half-hearted shrug. "We stopped trying to figure it out months ago." A pang of guilt stabs

releases them. She doesn't even twitch at the contact, content to bask in his attention. "Disappeared, you say? I wonder." His massive form leans forward, causing my poor couch to

question inward, where his presence burns like a banked fire. Can you

irritation. My bond lies with you, not her. I cannot access Selene's soul any more than I can access the soul of that tree outside your

makes me wince. He'd talked about getting to the bottom of her missing memories, so I'd

as her soul. Linked, but not the same. A soul

idea," I tell