Tangled

Unshift 262

Unshift 262

262 Ava: Cassiopeia

"Are you okay?" Vanessa asks, grabbing my arm and inspecting the welts I've given myself.

"Just crazy itchy. Ever since I connected with the book, it's like energy is just buzzing right below my skin. Like a million ants at a dance party.

She frowns. "I wish I knew more about magic and its side effects. I hate not knowing if these things are normal."

"No kidding" Pulling my arm away, I scratch at it again.

Marcus's voice cuts through the night air. "Time's up. Let's move. Ava, come up front this time."

I climb into the passenger seat, grateful for the change. At least I can stretch out my legs a little. The cracked leather beneath me is hard and pokey, but it's still an improvement. Vanessa takes the back, and I can feel her watchful gaze on me even in the darkness.

The truck rumbles to life, and we're back on the road. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window, my eyes searching the sky. The stars are bright out here, away from the city lights. It's been so long since I've really looked at them.

My fingers find their way to my neck, scratching at the persistent itch that's taken up residence- there. I try to focus on the constellations, searching for familiar patterns in the vast expanse

above.

There's Orion's Belt, three stars in a perfect line. I remember learning about it as a kid, fascinated by the idea of hunters in the sky. Now, it feels like we're the ones being hunted, even

when no one knows where we are.

The Big Dipper comes into view, its ladle shape unmistakable. I trace it with my eyes, following the line to the North Star. It's supposed to be a guide, a constant in a chaotic world. Right now, I could use some of that stability.

My mind wanders to Lucas, wondering if he's looking at these same stars from his hospital bed. The thought sends a pang through my chest, sharper than any physical pain.

I hope he's okay.

hope he knows I'm

feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is shrinking. It

I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's like my is

Lucas feels when the

wildness.

Vanessa's voice is soft but firm from the back

worse.

body

262 Ava: Cassiopeia

I press my palms flat against

my jeans.

other constellation I really know: The constellation

the sky, sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down.

Feels like me.

the stars to look at him. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead,

lie, because what else can I say? That I'm stressed about the fate of the world and worrying that we won't find Lucas where he's supposed to be? That I feel like something else crazy is about to come around the corner at us at any second? "Just trying to

obvious untruth. "Good. We should be there soon. Just hang in there

wanting to scratch again. I curl them into fists instead, nails digging into my

you think Lucas is awake?" The question slips out before I can stop it, my voice

late," Vanessa says gently from the back. "He's probably

he's sleeping. What time is it now? Midnight?

Is it like starlight, traveling vast distances to reach its vessel- me? Or is it more like a supernova, a

I'd just explode and take a chunk of the world with me, I

know, it's magic, and can't be

myself, my hand is at my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly,

and exasperation. "You need to try to relax. The more you focus on it, the worse