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 between us. The childish figure of Grimoire pops out

Grimoire. I mean it. It doesn't feel good to know he was able to force emotions

The yanking stops.

me into his arms, his chest warm against my back. "See?

child tes

314 Ava. Crimaire's Manipulation

there's a tiny little tug. So

for it.

I touch the book again, thinking of how my magic flowed into it last time. He hadn't asked for permission; he'd just taken it. That

something

sounding suitably chastised. I won't

suspiciously, "And how am I

again. I allowed my jealousy to take over. You've been spending all

only bonded her to manipulate her into doing what you want, I'll tell her exactly how to break it Break it?

won't do it again. I promise. Please, let me out. I'll be on my best

to that puppy-dog bond, the one that's overly affectionate

be. 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

child-Grimoire says

arms tightening around me. "Why is he

say something!" Grimoire holds up his tiny hands. "I want

was helpful, Selene mutters. If I was there, he'd

shudders. "I'm sorry,

hardly

"What more should I-"

for my sanity. "Why were you trying to

Somehow, this childish look of his

"Oh?"

was once mated

head intensifies You have no right

314 Ava: Grimoire's Manipulation