Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 452 - 452: Ava: Not Just Witchy

Eleanor's face pales. "It's a compliment! A compliment. You aren't old. You're beautiful."

I narrow my eyes at Eleanor, scrutinizing her nervous expression. She looks sincere enough. No matter how hard I stare at her, she just looks like a weak little rabbit who's wandered into a den of wolves.

Could be wrong, though. Lucas will probably have something to say about this.

Is she saying beautiful people can't be old? Grimoire sounds positively affronted, his voice ringing with indignation. I've existed for ages, and I'm gorgeous.

His ego shouldn't surprise me anymore, but sometimes it does. Like right now.

You can't be beautiful. You're a book most of the time.

I ignore their bickering, focusing instead on the woman's journal in my hands. My fingers tap against its worn cover. "Why do you think I'm the Crone? Of all people, why me?"

Eleanor's eyes brighten, her enthusiasm practically tangible. "Because you're so powerful! Every person I've ever met has only the faintest hold on their magic—most have almost none. But you—" She gestures at me with both hands, like I'm some sort of miracle. "You can do all sorts of things! I can feel it radiating off you."

I frown, not entirely comfortable with her assessment.

Grimoire, why isn't she in danger without formal training? Everyone kept saying I was like a bomb waiting to go off and I'm a danger to everyone around me.

He hesitates before answering. She has a different type of talent compared to yours. Her abilities seem more... analytical than creative.

Hmm. I frown. How does it make a difference?

I can't be fully certain until I evaluate her magical signature more closely. From what I can tell, she doesn't create magic so much as perceive and catalog it.

Still, it doesn't leave me very reassured. For someone Grimoire claims to have massive talent to come here without any training whatsoever, after everyone claimed I'd die without help…

Well, it's not like I'm going to just let her go. We'll keep an eye on her.

to him, "we need to bring her to Wolf's

with joy as she scrambles to her feet, snow falling from her practical hiking clothes. "Really? Oh my Goddess! Thank you!" She clutches her hands together. "Would you—I

shudder runs through me at the word. Coven. Me as some wise

uh, talk about it more when we get there," I

you know, Grimoire chimes in, clearly delighted

point. Ava's knowledge is too widespread

She's more

settle uncomfortably in my chest. "Does that mean I'm not capable of mastering

do you mean

old saying feels suddenly personal, my old insecurities shining through once

up many things doesn't mean you can't have extra talent in a certain direction. Some people excel at

that overpowered,

quirk. Me? Overpowered? Yeah, right. I've gotten so much stronger than I was before, but I'm still the same Ava who struggles against her propensity for bad decisions and

completely oblivious to my inner turmoil.

to force a smile. "No. My

sparkles fade a little. "Wolf? Oh, I see. You must have tamed one." Her face brightens even

just… explain it

throat. "I've informed Alpha of our

all

searching for someone like you for so long. The signs kept pointing to

I ask, instantly on alert

leaves traces, you

exactly do you hope to

Vester nudges her forward.

to take us longer to get home than it did to get here. She doesn't look capable

a slight crease between her eyebrows. She looks… worried. "Knowledge, mostly. I'm not looking to steal your power or anything. I just want to understand." She gestures at the journal Selene retrieved. "That's my life's work—studying magical energy patterns and their effects. There's

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