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

transforms 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 mean, could I possibly come under

Me as some wise old Crone leading witches. The image doesn't fit at

when we get there," I

found a coven, you know, Grimoire chimes in, clearly

a good point. Ava's knowledge is too widespread to be considered just witchy,

She's more of a

settle uncomfortably in my chest. "Does that mean

you mean

The old saying feels suddenly personal, my old insecurities shining through once again. Despite everything

a silly assumption, Grimoire scoffs. The ability to pick up many things doesn't mean you

people would call that overpowered, Selene

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 multiple

her eyes have increased, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. "Are you…

force a

You must have tamed one."

explain it

throat. "I've informed Alpha of

We're all set

bounces on her toes, practically vibrating with excitement. "This is incredible. I've been searching for someone like you for so long. The signs kept pointing to this area, but I

instantly

She waves her hands frantically. "Just energy patterns. Magic leaves traces, you know. Like

hope to

Vester nudges her forward.

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

as she peeks at me, 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

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