Tangled

39 Ava: Her Identity

39 Ava: Her Identity

You have the potential, Selene says, her voice a cautious whisper in my mind. The arcane flows through your veins. But…

My breath escapes me in a giddy rush. Magic. Real magic. Human magic. It’s something out of a fairy tale, not something that should exist in my life. Then again, supernaturals exist–and we’re pretty nonstandard,

ourselves.

It’s not that simple, Selene continues, her tone growing more serious. Magic is not a toy, little one. It’s a force of nature, raw and untamed. To wield it requires knowledge, discipline, and control.

I swallow hard, feeling the warning in her words. “But how do I learn? I don’t even know where to start.”

You would need a teacher, Selene explains, her voice tinged with hesitation. Someone well–versed in the arcane arts, who could guide you, show you how to harness and control your power. But magic is a lost art. Magicians were lost to the curse and became shifters.

14:55

177

39 Ava: Her Identity

Talk about a letdown.

O

“So, I won’t be able to do magic.” Is that how you say it? Do magic? Cast magic? Spell magic? Cast spells? It all feels weird in my mouth.

It is unlikely, Selene says, but she still has that cautious

sound to her voice.

“If I tried, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Death.

A simple word, bluntly given, with all the truth in the world behind it. I shudder at the matter–of–fact tone.

their magical talent. Until magicians began to teach each other, too many lives were lost in the pursuit of the power within

to regain some of the warmth that fled my

of loss. Magic would have been amazing to learn, of course. But–if Selene says it’s too dangerous, I believe her. It isn’t worth my life to try and grasp

Ava: Her Identity

volatile.

focus on a question that’s been bothering me from

Of course.

shifter has a

a thoughtful sound that echoes through my mind. You were born bonded with the ancient magic, she explains in that non–explaining way, where nothing is really answered. We are both separate and

groan. “That makes no sense. You’re being cryptic again. All shifters are bonded with ancient magic, and they

can almost picture her shaking her head. It’s the nature of what

And what are we, exactly? Are you a

Ava: Her

Selene says, her voice filled with a quiet pride. I came to be with you of

somehow makes my brain work better. “How is that possible? Doesn’t the curse decide

who is matched?”

For now, it’s more important that you take a cold

can feel the first

But I can’t let this conversation go

how can you just choose to be with me? And what do you mean, we’re separate and one at the same time?

when I say that everything will be revealed in

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

more later.

to demand answers, but the heat is building faster now, and I can feel my skin starting

humiliation is

ground as I go. Niceties

as I can.

they are, but they’re close enough that I’m lifting my chin to sniff, trying to get their

my nose.

One’s a little

Ava!

of course does nothing to help but makes me feel better for at

huddled under

617

Ava: Her

keep

extent.

even a thing? This is ridiculous. I’m losing my mind because I want some dick?