Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Almost as if they were put there over time. I first thought they were to hide your powers, but you don’t seem limited by their existence.
She cannot shift, Selene points out.
Touche, wolf. Maybe it is suppressing her shifter abilities.
“Ava, the herbs are just north of us. I’ll meet you at the next ward.”
I nod at Vanessa, watching her retreating form as she breaks off from our little group.
A flicker of concern crosses my mind.
“Marcus, can one of the them accompany Vanessa? Just to be safe.”
Marcus nods, his expression stoic. “Of course, Luna.” He signals to one of the wolves, who trots off after the healer.
I turn back to the path ahead, my feet crunching through the snow. It’s not as difficult as it was months ago. My muscles have grown stronger, more accustomed to grueling hikes. I can feel the difference with each step.
Marcus and the remaining three bodyguard wolves fall into formation behind me as I make my way to the next ward.
As my thoughts settle, I turn my attention back to Grimoire. “So, what’s your plan? You wouldn’t bring up these wards without having an idea in mind.”
Perceptive as always, Ava, Grimoire’s voice echoes in my mind. I’ve been considering a ritual that might help us understand these wards better, possibly even remove them.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “A ritual? What kind?”
It’s an ancient practice, one that allows a person to delve into their own soul. To see and interact with the very essence of their being.
“That sounds… intense. And potentially dangerous.”
All magic carries risks, Grimoire admits. But this could provide answers we desperately need.
Selene, who has been quietly listening, chimes in. I don’t like it. It sounds too risky.
The familiar tingle against my skin tells me we’ve arrived, and I replenish this ward as I did the last. But this time, instead of leaving for the next, I clear a patch of snow and sit on the ground, waiting for Vanessa.
“I don’t feel like the benefits outweigh the risks.”
You don’t even know the risks yet.
“Let me guess. I can get lost inside my soul or something?”
Grimoire goes silent for a long time, before reluctantly admitting, Yes.
“See? Benefits don’t match the risks.”
You shouldn’t put Ava in danger just to appease your own curiosity, Selene snaps at him, coming to flop onto my lap as she pants heavily.
Marcus clears his throat, drawing my attention. His brow is furrowed, concern etched across his weathered features. I realize he must have overheard my conversation with Grimoire and Selene.
“Don’t worry, Marcus. I’m not about to do anything stupid or risky,” I assure him, offering a small smile.
His shoulders relax slightly, but the worry doesn’t completely leave his eyes. “Of course, Luna. I trust your judgment.”
I would have been there the entire time, Grimoire mutters, sounding almost petulant. You wouldn’t have been at risk.
Selene lifts her head from my lap, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Ava’s just fine and growing stronger every day, even with the wards in place.
It doesn’t feel right to leave her soul warded. He sounds frustrated.
I stroke Selene’s fur. “Let’s just focus on the present for now, okay?”
We lapse into peaceful silence as we wait for Vanessa. The quiet of the forest settles around us, broken only by the occasional crunch of snow as one of the bodyguard wolves shifts their weight. The rhythmic sound of Selene’s breathing and the warmth of her body against mine lulls me into a light doze.
Suddenly, a sharp tingle shoots through my wrist, shocking me awake. My heart races as I look down at the witch bracelet, its silver surface gleaming in the weak winter sunlight.
What does that mean? Selene asks, her ears perked forward in alertness.
“I don’t know,” I admit, running my fingers over the cool metal. It’s silent, like it’s a normal bracelet again.
I’ve been wearing it for so long, I almost forgot it’s a magical artifact. Unfortunately, I still have no idea how it works. Maybe the Grand Sage will know.
It’s a warning, Grimoire says, his tone grim.
I shoot to my feet, nearly dislodging Selene from my lap, my mind immediately rushing to Vanessa’s safety.
Marcus tenses.
Calm down, Grimoire says, his voice steady. The bracelet reacts to certain types of magic. Run a magical survey around your perimeter.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and reach out with my senses, feeling the magic that thrums through the forest. I can sense Vanessa’s familiar energy signature, moving steadily towards us. But there’s something else, a slow-moving, cloud-like feeling of dark energy that makes my skin crawl.
“I can see how far Vanessa is,” I report, opening my eyes. “She’s on her way back. But there’s something else out there. It feels… wrong.”
We need to investigate, Grimoire says, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the unease churning in my gut.
“Should we wait for Vanessa first?” I ask, glancing in the direction I can sense her approaching from.
It’s moving slow enough that waiting should be fine.
I nod, turning to Marcus. “There’s something out there. We’re going to wait for Vanessa, then investigate.”
Marcus’s expression hardens, his hand moving to rest on the hilt of his knife. “Understood, Luna. We’ll be ready.”
As we wait, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that’s settled over me. The forest seems too quiet now, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what’s to come. I find myself straining my ears, trying to catch any sound that might give away the nature of the dark energy I sensed.
The sound of crunching snow alerts us to Vanessa’s approach before we see her. She emerges from between the trees, her backpack bulging. The fourth bodyguard tags along behind her.
Don’t take everyone.
“What?”
The more people, the more victims.
“Oh.” Shit. I hadn’t thought of that. Biting my lip, I look over my entourage. Vanessa’s brows raise as she watches me, her breath puffing out in the frigid air.
They’re my bodyguards, but they can’t save me from something magical.
Selene’s thoughtful hum vibrates in my head.
“Marcus, you and…” I scan the faces, settling on a stoic-looking wolf. I think his name is Greg. “You. Stay with me. The rest of you, I need you to be our lifeline.”
Vanessa frowns. “Ava, are you sure about this?”
I nod, trying to project more confidence than I feel. “I can sense magic and familiar energies, but there’s no guarantee I haven’t missed something. Or someone.”
The other wolves shift awkwardly, as they always do when I speak of magic. It’s still an uncomfortable subject for many in the pack.
“If something goes wrong, you need to get word to Lucas immediately.”
Discontent ripples through the group. I can see it in the set of their jaws, the tension in their shoulders. They don’t like the idea of letting me walk into potential danger without them.
“I know you don’t like this,” I say, addressing the group’s unspoken protests. “But none of you are able to help with a magical force. I need to make sure the pack is warned if anything goes wrong.”
Marcus, ever the professional, takes over. “We’ll check in with Vanessa every ten minutes. Standard procedure.”
I turn to Vanessa, holding up my wrist.
“Let’s sync our watches. We can’t afford any miscommunication.”
With our watches synchronized, allowing us to contact each other directly, and the plan set, I take a steadying breath. The dark, cloud-like presence I sensed earlier is a little closer now. It’s moving at a sluggish rate, but I don’t know if it will stay that way.
“Alright,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “Let’s move out.”