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.

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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.

each

rub my arms vigorously, trying to regain some of the warmth that fled my

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

Her

volatile.

I focus on a question that’s been bothering me from the

Of course.

from me? No shifter has

the ancient magic, she explains in that non–explaining way, where nothing is really answered. We are both separate and one

no sense. You’re being cryptic again. All shifters are bonded with ancient magic, and

Selene sighs, and I can almost picture her shaking her head. It’s the nature of what we

are you, an English professor now? And what are we, exactly? Are you a Lycan

Her Identity

voice filled with a quiet pride. I came to be with you of my own choice.

somehow makes my brain work better. “How is that possible?

who is matched?”

for another time, Selene says, her tone turning brisk. For now, it’s more important that you take a cold shower before your heat starts back up. Clayton is near.

my spine, and I can feel the

want to be in a frantic state like yesterday. But I can’t let this conversation go

what do you mean, we’re separate and one at the same time? I don’t understand any

you don’t understand yet. But trust me when I say that everything will be revealed in time. For now, focus on getting through your

Ava: Her Identity Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ

more later.

to argue, to demand answers, but the heat is building faster now, and I can feel my skin starting to prickle with sweat. I need to get this under control before I become a feral, slutty

humiliation is enough.

my hospital gown and tossing it on the ground as I go.

as I can.

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

my nose.

them. One’s a

Ava!

I slap my nose, which of course does nothing to help but makes me feel better for at least

shivering in minutes, huddled

617

Her Identity

to help keep my mind clear

extent.

Selene through my mind again. Why is heat even a thing? This is ridiculous. I’m losing my mind