Tangled

Unshift 291

Unshift 291

291 Ava: New Bond

Leaning forward, 1 stare at the spirit, who seems nonplussed by the intensity of my gaze.

"What?" They sound defensive for the first time.

"You aren't fond of wizards or magicians, are you?"

They scowl. "I am not fond of humans, human:

"I told you, I'm Lycan. Kind of.

"Hmm." They don't sound convinced. I guess I can't blame them. It isn't like I can shift.

"You're Grimoire, aren't you?"

In between one blink and the next, they're now standing in front of me, feet firmly planted against the ground and taller than before. How tall? Seven feet? Eight?

Are those flames I see flickering over their skin? Yes. Yes, those are.

Gone is the ethereal, androgynous being. In their place stands a towering figure, flames dancing across skin that seems both solid and intangible. His hair is as red as blood, his eyes an unnerving silver, and he's unmistakably male. I keep my eyes on his face.

His hand shoots out, gripping my arm with surprising strength. I try to pull away, but his hold is unyielding.

"How did you know?" His voice, deep and undeniably masculine now, rumbles through me.

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to struggle against his grip. "It seemed pretty obvious in retrospect." My eyes dart to his face, taking in features that seem both ancient and ageless. "Why do you look and sound different now?"

A smile spreads across his face, transforming his stern expression into something almost warm. "You're simply seeing me for who I am, Ava Grey"

I glance around, momentarily distracted by the transformation of our surroundings. The clearing, once bordered by decay and darkness, now teems with vibrant life. Lush greenery. stretches as far as I can see, pulsing with an energy that makes my skin tingle. "Let go of me," I say, tugging at my arm again.

His grip doesn't budge. "I can't. I must maintain contact with you for the transfer.

That sounds a little unnerving. "Transfer? What transfer?"

efforts to shake off his hand, twisting my arm and pushing against his

hand. It's like trying

both commanding and

explain what's going on," I demand, forcing myself to stand still

chest. "What transfer are

and white, bore into mine. "The transfer of knowledge, of

entirely sure I like where this is going. "Yes,

and listen,

a

"Good. Now, close your eyes and open your mind. This

lightning, every nerve in my body lighting up at once.

as images and information flood my mind. Centuries of magical knowledge, secrets long forgotten

and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of magic throughout history. I witness the triumphs and failures of countless witches, wizards, and magical beings. Through it all,

it began, the transfer ends. I sag against Grimoire, my head spinning from the influx

voice echoing strangely in my ears. "A fraction

I've seen.

the string within me is

My head hurts.

feels like it's

will be like that

from earlier is gone, replaced

brushes a hand over my forehead, his brows tugging together in concern. "Your fever has worsened. I'm sorry, I should have

wrap my arms around myself, trying to step away from him, despite wanting to lean into the warmth

nought this hand. Aun Did you not

291 Ava. New Bond

looks like a wounded

trying to summon a magic book, not bond with you. Whatever

points between us, his finger tracing an invisible line. "Our souls are linked now.

be linked to?" My voice

which has now shrunk to a more normalized six-foot-something. "Are you bonded with others?" "Selene and Lucas are

"Well, I am now also a part of your soul. A rather important part, I

recalling our first conversation. "I distinctly remember you saying Grimoire likes his peace.

silence after hundreds

up, a beaming smile spreading across his features, the new bond within me humming with happiness. It's then that I truly understand-the feelings coursing through the new connection inside me? That's his true self. The sarcastic, grouchy exterior is just a facade. Before I can process this revelation, Grimoire envelops me in a bear hug. His warmth seeps into me, chasing away some of the chill. "I've been so lonely" he sighs, his voice muffled against my

of Grimoire is unexpected, to say the least. Slowly, I bring my arms up to