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?"

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

It's like trying to move

both commanding and oddly gentle.

forcing myself to stand still despite the panic

transfer are

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

not entirely sure I like where this is going. "Yes,

still and listen, he

I take a deep breath, trying to calm

your eyes and open your mind. This may

struck by lightning, every nerve in my body lighting up at once. I gasp, my knees buckling under the onslaught

magical knowledge, secrets long forgotten by

see the rise and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of magic throughout history. I witness the triumphs

transfer ends. I sag against Grimoire, my head

he replies, his voice echoing strangely in my ears. "A fraction of

I've seen.

sharper somehow, colors more vivid and textures more defined. There's an undeniable pull between us now, and the string within me is thick and sturdy, filled with a warm presence that I now recognize as Grimoire. He sets me on my feet, though he keeps a steadying hand

My head hurts.

like it's

like that for a while.

my body with violent shivers. The warmth from earlier is gone, replaced by an

forehead, his brows tugging together in concern.

him, despite wanting to lean into the warmth of his body. "W-why did

hand. Aun Did

291 Ava. New Bond

like a wounded

to summon a magic book, not bond with you. Whatever you are. He's old and

tracing an invisible line. "Our souls are linked now. It's a profound connection, one

be linked to?" My voice is eerily calm, a stark

a more normalized six-foot-something. "Are you bonded with

"Well, I am now also a

our first conversation. "I distinctly remember you saying Grimoire

hundreds of

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 "hair. "I was worried a

react. This overly affectionate side of Grimoire is unexpected, to say the least. Slowly, I bring my