Tangled

Unshift 314

Unshift 314

314 Ava: Grimoire's Manipulation

Before my eyes, the book's form fades. In its place, Grimoire materializes, perched on the edge of the table. Flames lick at his skin, but do nothing to the wood of the table. His expression is distinctly sour as he glowers at Lucas. "It isn't right to wedge yourself between my bond with Ava."

I feel Lucas tense behind me, his hand tightening around mine.

"I'm not wedging myself anywhere. She's my mate."

Grimoire's eyes narrow. "And I am her magical counterpart. Our bond is just as important. Perhaps even more so."

The way my mate tenses behind me has me scrambling to defuse the situation. "Enough, Grimoire."

Know your place, Selene adds, her mental growl making my eardrums vibrate.

Lucas's thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, and when I glance back, he looks... pleased. His lips curl up, his face relaxed. In fact, I think I'd categorize him as distinctly smug. Grimoire, on the other hand, has shrunk from the size of a man to the size of a child. He even looks younger, the planes of his face round and soft, and his voice a higher pitch than before. "He still has to respect our bond, Grimoire insists, crossing his arms in a sulky demeanor that makes him seem about five years old.

He's...

Adorable. HIGO

Patters.

Even though I know he's thousands upon thousands of years old, my heart pitters and squeezing out maternal affection at his appearance.

Really? Selene's exasperation snaps me out of it. He's a book, Ava. Not your kid.

Frowning at Grimoire, I focus on the bond between us. There's an odd sort of fuzziness there that brings up all those maternal feelings again when I touch it.

My eyes narrow. "Are you manipulating my emotions, Grimoire?"

wide. Wider than should be possible. He looks like a woebegone child, and my heart trembles-until I slam closed the magical connection

It doesn't feel good to know he

The yanking stops.

into his arms, his chest warm against my back. "See? I don't like him.

a child tes grain vestr

314 Ava. Crimaire's Manipulation

a yank this time, there's a tiny little tug. So gentle I would

for it.

it last time. He hadn't asked for permission; he'd just

you have something

says, sounding suitably chastised. I won't

eyes at the book, I ask suspiciously, "And how am I supposed

my jealousy to take over. You've been spending all your time with him and ignoring

her to manipulate her into doing what you want, I'll tell

promise. Please,

of the condescending elitist; it's all back to that puppy-dog bond,

The book fades away again, leaving child-Grimoire in its place. This time, I don't feel a rush of maternal emotions when I see his face. It's cute, but in the way children can be cute. Nothing special. Just a

child-Grimoire

grunts, his arms tightening around me. "Why is

wanted to say something!" Grimoire holds up his tiny hands.

mutters. If I was there, he'd

"I'm sorry, okay? I already

is hardly

"What more should I-"

two is necessary for my sanity. "Why were you trying to get my

of his suits his personality. "I thought of

"Oh?"

once mated to his, wasn't

intensifies You have no

314 Ava: Grimoire's Manipulation