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?"

hand, twisting my arm and pushing

It's like

both commanding and oddly gentle.

going on," I demand, forcing myself to

chest. "What transfer are you

swirling mix of silver and white, bore into mine. "The transfer

nod hesitantly, not entirely sure I

still and

gives me pause. I take a deep breath, trying

eyes and open

his hand into my arm. It's like being struck by lightning, every nerve in my body lighting up at once. I

information flood my mind. Centuries of magical knowledge, secrets long forgotten by the mortal world, pour into me in a torrent I can

ebb and flow of magic throughout history. I witness the triumphs and failures of countless witches, wizards, and magical beings. Through it all, Grimoire's presence is a

sag against Grimoire, my head spinning

I am," he replies, his voice echoing strangely in

I've seen.

string within me is thick and sturdy, filled with a warm presence that I now recognize

My head hurts.

like

it will be like that for a

from earlier

brows tugging together in concern. "Your fever has worsened. I'm sorry, I should have been

to step away from him, despite wanting to lean

Did you

291 Ava. New Bond

looks like

book, not bond with you. Whatever you are. He's

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

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

to his full height, which has now shrunk to a more normalized six-foot-something. "Are you bonded with others?" "Selene

out his chest, looking both proud and slightly miffed. "Well, I am now also a part of your soul. A

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

and silence after hundreds of years of

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

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