Tangled

Unshift 313

Unshift 313

313 Ava: What Do You Think I Should Do?

Grimoire's presence inside of me is unfazed after his revelations from the morning. I swear his

book form even looks cheerful, sitting there on the table.

You seem worried, Selene says, sounding distracted.

"I am. I still don't agree with Grimoire"

About the summoning?

"Yes. Wouldn't you know if you were summoned?"

I suppose. Selene goes quiet for a bit, before asking, How does Lucas feel about it?

Lucas.

He's standing by the window, watching the light rain drizzle across our world. The soft patter of droplets on glass is the only sound outside of my voice. Sister Miriam and Vester left a while ago, leaving us to contemplate our next move. Lucas hasn't spoken since they departed, his thoughts as opaque as the cloudy sky outside.

"I don't know."

He seems ambivalent to the idea of summoning his wolf, but I can't blame him.

After dropping the bomb of Selene's alleged summoning-though she denies it-he did mention. the possible negatives.

While Lucas would not lose his sense of self, he might lose his wolf. Like me, he would exist as a human. But unlike me, he wouldn't have magic to bridge that supernatural gap.

No healing. No strength. What would happen if he were challenged then?

Is it any better than now?

survive without his internal wolf? Would

my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek against the broad expanse of his back. The steady thump of his heart echoes through me. Soothing. Strong. My anchor

touch is warm, familiar, yet so new. We stand like this

and

warmth of his scent fills my lungs, surrounding me in assurance, soothing the

do you think I should do?" His voice breaks the silence, low and

should he do? The options before us are all shit, covered in more shit, until it

shit mountain.

A What 10 You

You Think

it weren't for the state of

weren't

have more

we wouldn't be

as I've learned so many

admit softly. "There's so much

mine. "Tell me what

weight of the world in it, escapes my

would feel

it feels

has changed my world, but it's still different from the bond any normal shifter has with their wolf. Distance can create emptiness within our bond. And-scariest of all-I can die and leave

that would mean for you as

I can sense

him. "And selfishly, I miss you.

connection with you," he says softly. "Even without the memories, there's something right about being with you. It's here: He taps his chest, then mine. "Something inside of

feel it

cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle. "But this isn't just about us. I

nod, leaning into

that we are not one body? Selene

imagine not being

the same

from her bond has me smiling, and Lucas narrows his eyes.