Tangled

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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.

he knows

bond in my chest feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is shrinking.

as I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's like my is trying to crawl out of itself, restless energy

this is how Lucas feels when the full

wildness.

the back seat.

worse.

body

262 Ava: Cassiopeia

against my thighs, focusing on the rough texture

my jeans.

the only other constellation I really know: The constellation Cassiopeia, its distinctive W shape a stark contrast to the

remember reading about the myth, the vain queen who boasted of her beauty. Now she's forever in the sky, sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down. I wonder if the gods who put

Feels like me.

the silence that's settled over us. "How are you holding up?" I tear my gaze away from the stars to look at him. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead, but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands grip the steering wheel a little too

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 relax a

out on the obvious untruth. "Good. We should be there soon. Just hang in there a

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

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

from the back.

time is it now? Midnight? A patient shouldn't

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

how everyone was worried I'd just explode and take a chunk of the world with me, I

magic, and can't be

my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly, but not before Vanessa

voice a mixture of concern and exasperation. "You need to try to relax. The more you