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

free hand. It's like

says, his tone both commanding and oddly gentle. "You'll

I demand, forcing myself to stand still despite the

transfer are

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

sure I like

be still and listen, he

in his voice gives me pause. I take a deep breath,

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

every nerve in my body lighting up at once. I gasp, my knees buckling under

around my waist, supporting me as images and information flood my mind. Centuries of magical knowledge, secrets long forgotten by the

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

sag against Grimoire, my head spinning from

replies, his voice echoing

I've seen.

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

My head hurts.

feels like

be like that for

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

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

trying to step away from him, despite wanting to lean into the warmth of his body. "W-why did you do that without

nought this hand. Aun Did you not sama

291 Ava. New Bond

looks like a

"What bond? I was trying to summon a magic book, not bond with you. Whatever you are. He's old and magical,

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

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

shrunk to a more normalized six-foot-something. "Are you bonded with others?" "Selene and

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

distinctly remember you saying Grimoire

after hundreds of years of not being around

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

affectionate side of Grimoire is unexpected, to say the least. Slowly, I bring