Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
“Magister Orion, we have an issue that needs to be addressed.
His thick brows wing up in surprise. “An issue? By all means, tell me, child.”
My lips are dry, and I take two attempts to clear my throat before continuing.
Confrontation has never been my strong suit.
“I understand I am a newcomer to this world of Fae and vampires, and I appreciate your generosity in bringing me here under your protection. However, Marcus and Vanessa have been my steadfast protectors. Your attitude toward them and my pack is concerning. Regardless of any history between shifter and Fae, mutual respect is crucial if we’re to work together.”
Marcus’ tense presence beside me relaxes, and Vanessa takes a step closer to my side. Their approval of my words is clear.
Shock flickers aross the Fae’s face, followed by a grimace. Intense eyes glower at the two who’ve followed me into this strange world, the two tasked to keep me safe even at the cost of their own lives.
Finally, he grunts, throwing his head back to stare at the endless expanse of this strange cottage tower above him. “Very well, Ava Grey. I cannot argue with your words.”
Tinker stares at me, her mouth open in surprise and those mechanical wings of hers open as wide as they can be. Knowing that she controls them with a remote, it makes me wonder how long she’s had them, that she’s expressing her emotions through them so fluidly. I wonder if she even notices when she does it.
It could be a hundred years, Selene says thoughtfully. Though, it could even be longer. Time can flow differently in the Fae Realm, though I’m not wellversed on such matters.
How can time flow differently? A second is a second. An hour is an hour. Except, I guess, when it’s not
I’m not certain, either. The Fae Realm has always guarded their secrets.
Interesting.
Magister Orion steps forward, toetotoe with Marcus. Despite dwarfing him in physical size, Marcus’ sheer level of iron will has his presence holding its own against the Fae’s. Magister Orion leans in to inspect Marcus’ face, before finally giving a slow, approving nod. “Yes, I can see why they would choose one such as you. Welcome to the Fae Ward, Market.”
“Marcus,” Tinker hisses.
“Marcus.” Magister Orion scowls at his tiny winged secretary, before turning to Vanessa. He doesn’t move, only inspecting her from afar, before giving another nod. “A strong shewolf. Rare to see these days. Welcome to the Fae Ward, Vamoose.”
“Vanessa.” This time, it’s Layla, who looks at us with apology. “I promise he’s like that with everyone. So it isn’t discrimination, just allaround jackassery.”
Magister Orion scowls at the gnome woman, drawing himself to his full height. “To all a mighty wizard a donkey-“
-is accurate,” Tinker cuts in, ignoring his immediate deflation. She smiles at me, with an edge of desperation. “Please don’t let his personality deter you from his teaching. We all gave up on him centuries ago, and it’s only made him worse.
Magister Orion settles into a chair with an aura mostly reminiscent of a sulky child. It’s hard to get a read on the man. He’s aggressive and yet seems kind. Overly passionate about his magic. And kind of… silly.
The Fae are an interesting people.
Selene sneezes again, catching everyone’s attention. This time it’s five desperate ahchoos in a row, and even Marcus’ normally blank face is pinched with worry.
“Is she going to be okay?” Vanessa asks, reaching out to rub Selene’s ears.
I’b pfine.
“She says she’s fine, but it’s even affecting her voice up here.” Tapping my head, I frown. “How’s that possible?”
Vanessa rubs Selene’s head as my wolf leans further into her caresses, milking the situation for attention.
Ab not. Ab miserable.
Her voice is like typos in my head.
“Psychosomatic, maybe?” Vanessa ventures.
“Unlikely. The effects of the wards reach farther than the physical plane.” Magister Orion points at the wolf. “It’s likely even her mental faculties are somewhat slow and befuddled. She’ll be fine after some time away from the wards.”
If Selene’s so deeply affected by this place, there’s no way we can stay here for my training.
Can, she insists.
“Magister Orion.” A little concerned at how the strange man who claims to be my teacher will respond to my next words, I brace myself once more for the flood of emo..ons that might roll off him. *I understand your wish for me to stay here and learn from you, but it is impossible for me to stay here for as long as you wish. And with my wolf unable to tolerate your wards, it makes it even more impractical.”
Wiw be fwine.
“No, it won’t be.”
Magister Orion’s brow furrows as he scrutinizes Selene, his gaze sharp and assessing. The air thickens with tension.
Finally, he turns to me, his expression unreadable.
“If you cannot remain here in the Fae Ward, Ava Grey, then it is my duty as your mentor to go where you go.”
Layla and Tinker erupt into a chorus of protests, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of disbelief.
“Magister Orion, you can’t be serious!” Layla exclaims, her eyes wide with shock. “Leaving the Fae Ward? Impossible. Your request would be rejected on the spot!”
Tinker nods vigorously, her mechanical wings fluttering in agitation. “She’s right, Magister. The Fae Ward is your domain. To leave its sanctuary is little better than,” and her voice lowers to a whisper, “suicide!”
IS 43
But Magister Orion is unmoved by their objections. He rises to his full, imposing height, his voice booming like thunder. “Enough! This goes beyond convention. I will not leave my chance at a student behind.”
Watching the argument unfold, my stomach twists with unease. The idea of Magister Orion accompanying me back to the pack lands fills me with dread.
He’s already proven animosity toward the wolves. If an incident were to occur, would we be able to handle the consequences?
Vanessa and Marcus exchange worried glances, their postures tense and alert. I can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling with my own growing anxiety.
Taking a deep breath, I turn to Magister Orion, my voice carefully measured. “Magister Orion, forgive me for asking, but how can you handle being on pack lands when you hold such disdain for wolves?”
His eyes flash with an emotion I can’t quite decipheranger? Resentment? Something else entirely? “My personal feelings are irrelevant,” he says, his tone clipped. “What matters is the greater purpose. If teaching you requires me to endure the presence of wolves, then so be it.”
I nod slowly, trying to process his words. Having to use the word endure when thinking about spending time with a pack doesn’t sound like a great idea.
“Can I simply travel to see you from time to time? Once a week?” The horror on his face has me scrambling. “Twice?”
Selene shifts restlessly at my feet, her discomfort palpable as she sneezes once more.
“Three times?”
“Magic isn’t something so easily taught, child. It’s a daily exercise.” He rubs between his eyebrows with a sigh. “If only the Crone’s teachings weren’t lost to us.”
“Crone’s?” This is a new word, but something deep within me stirs, as if trying to warn me of the importance of it.
“A human affectation of the blessing of the gods. The witches of old.” His voice resonates through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall. “They carried great weight on the shoulders of three priestesses who stood with the Goddess of Life, who gifted her believers with magic.”
Magister Orion’s words settle in the air, heavy with the weight of lost knowledge.
The Goddess of Life is someone I’ve never heard of; as wolves, we are raised with the Moon Goddess. And for humans, it’s usually God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah, but my father forbade me from learning more about the religion.
“The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone were the names given to each priestess,” Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone, “though none of them were mothers, and none of them were old enough to be a crone.”
Tinker sighs. “Magister, you’re too boring. Let me explain it to her.”
She turns to me, her lilac eyes sparkling. “You see, Ava, the Crone was the one to record the teachings and knowledge of the witches in this ancient book passed down through the ages to their human successors. But the Crone disappeared from the earthly realm when all the gods did, which is considered the beginning of the downfall of magic” The doom resonating in her last few words has me shuddering,
It sounds ominous, which is absolutely what she’s going for.
Tinker leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Some say the Crone’s book is still out there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find it. Others believe it was destroyed, lost forever. And then there are those who think-‘
“Tinker!” Magister Orion’s voice cracks like a whip, cutting off her rambling, “Go do something helpful, would you?”
The little woman pouts. “But Magister, your lecture are so dry! Nobody wants to listen to them”
“I actually found it quite interesting-“
“Hush, you miserable little sprite. Some of us enjoy the pursuit of knowledge.” Waving her off with one massive hand, he ignores her scowl as she scurries away, her wings whirring.
“Pay no mind to the vapid gnome, Ava Grey. Her conspiracies are nothing more than idle chatter through the ages.”