Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Not now, Ava. Selene’s words are calm, though strained. Hurry.
It’s disorienting, existing in this place of pure sensation. There are no visual cues to ground me, no physical sensations to anchor me to reality. Just emotions, energy, and the vague sense of presence.
I reach for my magic, trying to summon that familiar warmth, but it’s not there. It just doesn’t exist.
“I can’t I say, frustration building. “I can’t find it. It’s not… it’s not there.”
I’m speaking, but is it coming from my body or my mind?
I can’t tell.
I think it might be in my head.
It exists, Grimoire insists. You’re just looking for it in the wrong way. It’s in your very essence. Focus on your own feelings, Ava, Selene’s voice cuts through the chaos. Find what’s distinctly yours in this sea of emotions.
I take a deep breathor at least, I imagine I do. Her words anchor me, giving me a direction.
concentrate on that feeling, letting it fill me up. The warmth of his smile, the strength in his arms, the way his eyes light up when he looks at me. Even with his memories gone, there’s still that spark between us. That connection that defies explanation.
As I focus on these thoughts, something shifts in the emotional landscape around me. It’s subtle at first, like a ripple in still water. Then I feel ita gossamer thread, delicate yet unbreakable, stretching out into the void.
Our bond.
I reach for it, my nonexistent hands grasping at nothing and everything. The moment I make contact, it’s like touching a live wire. The bond jumps, almost as if startled by my presence. It pulses with life, with recognition.
Lucas, I think, pouring all my love and longing into that single thought.
And then, slowly, I feel it. A familiar sensation creeps through me, starting from my core and spreading outward. It’s a thrum of energy, a tingle in fingertips I don’t have in this place. My magic, responding to my call.
Good, Ava. Now, guide that energy. Focus it on a single point in the barrier. Attack it there. How? I can’t see anything here. How am I supposed to aim at something I can’t see? It sounds simple until you’re actually about to do it.
Your mind understands the intent of your actions, Grimoire explains patiently. Trust in brain. It knows what you want to do.
your own
Trust my brain? That seems like a tall order when I’m floating in a void of pure emotion and energy.
Okay, brain. Let’s do this.
I picture the barrier in my mind. Not as a physical wall, but as a resistance. A point where the flow of energy and emotion suddenly stops. I imagine my magic as a laser, focused and precise. In my mind’s eye, I see it striking that point of resistance.
The release of magic is intentional, something I control, but it almost feels like I’m firing blind.
No, that’s actually how it feels. Not almost
But to my surprise, I feel something give way. It’s small, barely noticeable, but it’s there. A tiny crack in an otherwise impenetrable wall.
Encouraged, I pour more of my magic into that focused beam. The crack widens, spreading like a spiderweb across the surface of the barrier. With each pulse of energy, I feel the resistance weakening.
But it’s not enough. The barrier is vast, and my magic feels like a mere drop in an ocean. Frustration builds within me. We’re so close, yet still so far.
You don’t need to break through, Grimoire reminds me. His wolf will do the rest. And then it will be Selene’s turn.
Out, Selene says simply.
The journey into his woll’s mind was long. It was a turbulent sea, every inch taken a victory.
Getting out is much easier.
Between one instant and the next, there’s nothing more than a distinct yank from Selene’s mind, and it’s as though I’m sucked through a vortex and thrown back into my own head. There’s enough force that 1 pitch forward and almost hit my face against the ground before my hands fly up to save myself.
“Fuck”
My body’s soaked. There’s only a small light on in the kitchen; the rest of the house is dark, the windows showing evidence of nightfall.
I’m a used dishrag, flattened to the floor, struggling to push myself to my knees and check on
Lucas.
Grimoire’s hands grab onto my arms, pulling me up. He’s huge again, his flames higher than normal, his eyes red instead of silver.
Where his hands touch me is odd; pressure without temperature. Not cold. Not hot.
My legs wobble as I struggle to my feet, grateful for Grimoire’s steady grip on my arms. The room spins for a moment before settling, and I blink away the disorientation. My gaze lands on Lucas, sprawled across the couch.
He’s asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But something’s off. Sweat glistens on his skin, running in rivulets down his face and soaking into his hair. His hands, resting on the couch, tremble visibly.
My stomach knots. “Is he okay?”
Grimoire’s grip on my arms tightens slightly. “His wolf is attacking the barrier.
The grim tone in his voice sends a chill down my spine. I turn to look at him, searching his fiery face for any sign of reassurance. There is none.
“Isn’t that what we want?” I ask, dreading the answer.
Grimoire’s flames flicker, casting dancing shadows across the room. “The wolf is already feral. Completely focused on reuniting with its other half. The moment he felt evidence of the breach, he went wild.”
“But Selene-” I start, turning to where I last saw her.
My words die in my throat as I spot her curled up on the floor. Her eyes are closed, nose tucked into her tail. She looks peaceful, but something feels terribly wrong.
And that place in my head where she rests is empty.
Panie zdawa at mu elect Virlowire Lean’t feel hart Solene’e mane 1.
“Breathe, Ava,” Grimoire interrupts, his voice firm but gentle. “Selene is fine. She’s fully immersed in Lucas and the wolf’s psyche right now.”
I take a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “But why can’t I feel her? She’s always. there, always…
“She’s not here. She’s there. He gestures toward Lucas. “We have to watch and wait
There’s nothing I can do except sit by his side and wait.
Sometime in the carly hours of morning, there’s a knock on the door.
I ignore it.
Grimoire’s long since reverted to his book form, the heavy leatherbound paper resting on my lap as my eyes never once leave Lucas’ sweating form. He occasionally thrashes and even moans, but he doesn’t open his eyes.
Doubt creeps in, whispering that we’ve made a terrible mistake.
That Lucas isn’t coming back.
That we’re going to lose him.
His face contorts in pain, sweat beading on his forehead. My heart aches to reach out and comfort him, but Grimoire made it clear: Physical contact might cause more issues.
The door creaks open, and Kellan’s voice breaks through my haze of worry. “Ava? We need to talk”
I tear my eyes away from Lucas to see Kellan and Lisa enter. Kellan’s usually composed demeanor is frayed at the edges, his hair mussed and dark circles under his eyes.
“The pack is going wild,” he says, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I’ve spent the last. several hours breaking up fights between all the younger males.”
His gaze drifts to Lucas, concern etching deeper lines on his face. “What’s going on here?”
“We’re trying to get his memories back,” I reply, my voice flat and lifeless even to my own ears.
Kellan falls silent, his eyes widening slightly. After a moment, he speaks again, his tone softer. “I wish you would have called me here for it.
“You’re right. It might have been better to have you here. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to explain further. “Lucas’ wolf has gone completely feral?
Kellan nods slowly. “Sister Miriam explained some things to me. I somewhat understand the situation”