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.

the recklessness of their magical talent. Until magicians began to teach each other, too many lives were lost in the pursuit of the power within them. Do not open that

my arms vigorously, trying to regain some of the warmth that fled my body as she

the odd sense 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

Her Identity

volatile.

question that’s been bothering me from the beginning. “Selene, you’re my wolf, right?”

Of course.

me? No shifter

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

bonded with

helped, Selene sighs, and I can almost picture her shaking her head.

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

Ava: Her Identity

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

as if that somehow makes my brain work better. “How is that

who is matched?”

turning brisk. For now, it’s more important that you take a cold shower before your heat

and I can feel the

yesterday. But I can’t let this conversation go just yet. I’m finally

be with me? And what do you mean, we’re separate

don’t understand yet. But trust me when I say that everything will be revealed in time. For now,

on Gøøglᴇ to

more later.

want 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

is

hospital gown and tossing it on the ground as I go. Niceties are foregone; I just

as I can.

a powerful wolf. I don’t know how far they are, but they’re close enough that I’m lifting my chin to sniff, trying to get

my nose.

two of them. One’s a little

Ava!

me feel better for at least trying, and turn

shivering in minutes, huddled

617

Her Identity

it seems to help keep

extent.

teeth are chattering, so I talk to Selene through my mind again. Why is heat even a thing? This is ridiculous. I’m losing my mind because I