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?"

to take a seat. "Sister Miriam has worked her way into the bosom of the New Order. The

unusual for his body language to be so evasive. The corners of my lips

to sacrifice allies. It is understandable she

like an unwelcome jolt in my head. Sacrifice her allies? She

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

me. Sister Miriam might be cryptic and strange, but she doesn't seem the

under his weight. A weary hand waves through the air. "That's a story for

"But—"

vampire communities." He cuts off my protest to change the subject. "Though none I'd trust with your secrets. For now, we must wait for

sound reminds me of thunder rolling

directly? I ask Grimoire. Between the two of you, maybe you can

how his eyes light up at the mere mention of new magical knowledge? I've seen him in your memories. No, thank

over Grimoire's book form, scribbling notes with fevered excitement, is

Magister's leg, allowing him to pet her head and ears as she

Orion's fingers trace the outline of Selene's ears; she's long been a source of fascination for him. "Still so fascinating. A wolf spirit residing in a husky's form. How

stopped trying to figure it out months ago." A pang of guilt stabs through my chest

eyes narrow as he pinches Selene's ears together, then 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

I direct the question inward, where his presence burns like a banked fire. Can

bond lies with you, not her. I cannot access Selene's soul

acid in his tone makes me wince. He'd talked about getting to

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

no idea," I