Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Blackwell is well aware of the situation here.”
Luna? Since when did he call me that? I guess it’s to keep the pack feeling secure since their alpha is indisposed.
“What about the war out there?” I wave an arm at the general outside. “Have we learned anything new?”
“Nothing new for you. I’m the one who has a lot to process.” His lips quirk, even as his eyes travel toward Lisa. “Sounds like we’re up shit creek without a paddle.”
“Yeah. Pretty much.”
Fiddling with the bracelet, I nod. “I’m going to see what I can figure out, magicwise, while we wait for Sister Miriam. I’m worried about Lucas, and about any possible alpha challenges.”
Kellan sighs. “Understood. One reason he’s been in the hospital is to avoid any challenges; they can’t challenge him if they don’t see him.”
It’s a temporary measure; an absent alpha can be challenged, especially if they abandon their pack.
“Don’t worry, Luna. I’ve got this under control.”
“That,” Lisa whispers, “is the coolest fucking thing”
Three flames flicker between us, looping in a lazy circle.
“That’s about the extent of what I’ve learned.” My wry tone catches her attention, and she shakes her head.
“It’s still amazing. Don’t discount what you’ve learned just because it isn’t fast enough for your liking.
my wrist. It
Chastened, I flick each flame out of existence, fiddling with the new bracelet on my
În amir uinu Tha kad Ne Blandnull didn’t Immu mush akaut it
“So, you said you need to just…” She waves her arms in the air, free to chat as much as she wants. with the wardstone keeping our conversation safe and all the curtains closed. “Summon this book? Like, out of thin air?”
“Somehow. Yes. Rubbing at my eyebrow, I close my eyes to concentrate on that string of connection inside of me. It’s been quiet since I saw Lucas. Everything about my magic, about me, is subdued.
But maybe if I get this damn book back, I can figure out something with the communication ball. Or, even better, Sister Miriam and Selene might be back soon.
“So, how can I help?”
Opening my eyes to see Lisa’s visage practically sparkling with excitement, I laugh. “I don’t know. I don’t think you can. You just have to be quiet and not distract me.”
“Oh. The light around her seems to dim as her face falls. “Well, I can do that.”
“Sorry. It’s nothing spectacular. Just…” I shrug, not even sure how to end the sentence.
She holds up her hands, shaking them and her head vigorously in my direction. “No. It’s fine. I get it. I wanted to have the Grand Sage show you all the gadgets, but it doesn’t sound like it’s a great time right now. Maybe I’ll just see what he can bring in. There has to be something helpful in his bag of tricks.”
That might actually be helpful, but who knows.
So far, the bracelet’s a dud, but I leave it on. Who knows what wards exist in it.
“Go ahead. Lisa scoots a little further back on the floor. “I’ll give you space. Don’t mind me. I’m not even here.”
But she is here, and it’s one of the best feelings on this earth. To finally have my best friend safe. To see her with my own eyes and know she’s okay.
I’m sure she has plenty of traumas to work through. Hell, I’ve been ignoring mine. But that can always be dealt with another day, right?
Like when war isn’t at our freaking doorstep. With supernaturals at the helm.
As if human wars weren’t bad enough.
As if there isn’t enough death and hatred to go around.
Now Book!
Shaking off the morbid thoughts clouding my mind, the images of war and supernatural chaos, I breathe deeply and close my eyes. (D)
Focus, Ava. There’s work to be done.
Concentrating on that elusive string of connection I can feel deep within me, it’s like a gossamer thread. Barely visible, but undeniably present.
I tug at it gently, as if saying hello to an old friend. No response.
I press on, trying to deepen the connection, fumbling along in this strange magical mental space. It’s like groping in the dark, unsure of what I’m looking for.
The sound of Lisa’s breathing and subtle movements a few feet away threaten to break my concentration, and it’s an effort to push those distractions aside, diving deeper into the recesses of my mind. The world around me fades away, replaced by a vast emptiness.
Then, I’m falling.
By now, the sensation is familiar enough for me not to panic, waiting it out as space whizzes past at breakneck speed.
My stomach lurches, instinctual panic taking hold of my body; my mind might understand that I’m not falling, but every physical reflex of mine insists that it is.
And then, a torturous second or two later, it’s gone and I’m alone in the middle of what looks like the creepiest forest to exist on the planet.
Gnarled, dead branches wrap together in a dense canopy of trees that block out the majority of light.
Dead leaves litter the ground, crackling and crunching beneath my feet, but there’s a shocking lack of underbrush. It’s like walking inside an unfinished painting.
There’s a pond, of course. Why is there always water? Is it symbolic, or just coincidence?
Unlike the pond where I met with the Moon Goddess, this one is so murkily dark that it seems filled with black water. Just looking at it makes my skin crawl, and I step back reflexively, not wanting to get near the edgeeven when I’m a solid ten feet away already.
There’s an unnatural quiet to the space. No birds singing. No insects buzzing. Fuck, I’d take a cicada to break up the oppressively creepy environment. But no.
Just the dead leaves crunching with my every movement and my breathing.
I turn in a slow circle, taking in my surroundings. The forest stretches out in every direction. seemingly endless. The trees all look the sametall, dark, and foreboding. There’s no path, no sign of which way I should go. Only the pond breaks the monotony.
My eyes are drawn back to the water. Its surface remains perfectly still, not a ripple in sight. I approach the water’s edge, peering into its depths. For a moment, I think I see something moving beneath the surface. But when I look closer, there’s nothing.
There aren’t even reflections on the surface.
A chill runs down my spine. Whatever this pond is, it might look like water, but I have a feeling it’s something else entirely.
When I throw a pebble into it, it sinks without a single ripple.
Note to self: Don’t go swimming.
“Okay, Ava. You wanted to connect with your magic. Is this what that looks like?”
As if in response to my words, a gentle breeze stirs the branches overhead. It carries a whisper, so faint I’m not sure if I actually heard it or just imagined it.
I strain my ears, trying to catch the sound again. Nothing.
If this is my magic, it’s… Horrifying.
Like I’m supposed to be some sort of evil overlord. Dead trees. Creepy, murky water. No signs of life whatsoever.
Definitely doesn’t seem like the kind of thing I want associated with my magic.
When I met the Moon Goddess, it was bright and beautiful. Refreshing. Wonderful.
This is just a nightmare.
The pond catches my eye again, and I make my way closer. There’s some sort of glint in the inky water, and I’m pretty sure it’s important, whatever it is.
I edge closer to the water, my eyes straining to catch another glimpse of that elusive glint. It’s maddening, like trying to catch light with my bare hands. Every time I think I’ve spotted it, it slips away, dancing just beyond my focus.
“Come on,” I mutter, leaning forward. My reflection should be visible on the surface, but there’s nothing. Just that darkness that swallows everything.
The strain makes my eyes ache, and I give up to walk around, rubbing them to ease the tension building behind my temples.