Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 215 Ava: Going to Sister Miriam Again (I)

The candle wick flickers to blazing life. Marcus and Liam's hands are heavy on my shoulders, groundingas

Adam and Vanessa complete the chain. Selene's fur brushes my leg, a silent reminder of her presence.

| focus on Sister Miriam, on my desperate need to understand... everything.

My powers. The city. These phone calls. Steve. The Fae. The Moon Goddess.

Lisa. And that damned Mad Prince.

The flflickers, casting eerie shadows across the faces of those gathered around me. | close my eyes,

picturing Sister Miriam's enigmatic smile, her ruby eyes glittering with secrets.

Sister Miriam, | need you.

I hold my breath, waiting for the rush of magic, the dizzying sensation of being transported across space and

time.

But nothing happens.

| open my eyes, blinking in confusion. We're still in my room, surrounded by the trappings of my everyday life.

Kellan and Jericho exchange a glance, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

"When's it supposed to happen?" Kellan asks, his brow furrowing.

A sinking feeling takes hold of my gut. "I don't know. It worked before."

Staring at the candle, | whisper Sister Miriam's name, each syllable a desperate plea. "Sister Miriam. Sister

Miriam, please."

The silence stretches, broken only by my harsh breathing. Selene presses closer to my leg.

I'm about to try again when my phone rings, the sudden sound making us all jump. | fumble for it, my hands

shaking as | see the unknown number on the screen.

"Hello?" My voice cracks, betraying my nerves.

"Are you an idiot?" a robotic voice demands. "Trying to access your power now could kill everyone around you!"

Jericho and Kellan stare intently at the phone, and | put it on speaker.

"Who is this?"

The robotic voice sighs, the sound harsh and grating through the phone's speaker. "You're taking too long."

| glance around at the others, searching their faces for any hint of understanding. Kellan and Jericho exchange a

bewildered look, while Marcus and Liam simply shake their heads.

"Who are you?" | demand, my grip tightening on the phone. "Tell me."

"I'm trying to help you," the voice snaps, frustration evident despite the robotic distortion. There's an edge to

their words, something that doesn't translate through whatever filter they're using.

"You've tapped into your power," the voice continues, and my heart skips a beat.

"How do you know that?" | whisper.

The line goes silent for a moment, the absence of sound almost deafening. Then, abruptly, the speaker changes

the subject. "Lisa will soon be in safe hands. That should help your worries."

Ice floods my veins. "What do you mean? What have you done with her?"

"You need to hurry up," the voice repeats, ignoring my questions. "Tis running out."

Kellan leans in, his brow furrowed. "Who is this? What do you want with Ava?"

"I won't talk to any wolves," the speaker snarls, and the line goes dead.

| stare at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding. The candle flickers, casting eerie shadows across the room.

"They said they won't talk to wolves," | tell Kellan, who huffs out a long breath, looking thoughtful.

"What the hell was that?" Jericho demands, his eyes narrowed.

"I don't know," | whisper, my mind reeling. "But they know about my powers, and they said something about

Lisa. Said she would be safe."

Kellan runs a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "For all we know, their safe is just another danger."

| nod, my throat tight. This person won't answer questions, and knows too much.

"What about Sister Miriam?" Vanessa asks, her voice soft. "Why didn't she come?"

| shake my head, staring at the candle's flickering flame. "I don't know. Maybe she can't, or maybe she won't."

The silence stretches, heavy with all of our unanswered questions.

"We can't just sit here," | say finally, my voice shaking. "We have to do something."

"You do look dressed for the part," a voice agrees, startling all of us.

Sister Miriam melts from the shadows. Her black dress clings to her figure, and she walks with mincing steps.

There's a cigarette holder dangling from her fingers, a slender line of smoke curling toward the ceiling.

Something I've only seen an old movie once.

Kellan and Jericho are in front ofbefore | can blink, a wall of muscle and menace. Even Vanessa steps

forward, her gentle face set in lines of determination.

But Sister Miriam merely arches a brow, her ruby lips curving in a smile that's equal parts amusement and

danger. "Is that any way to greet a guest, child?"

"Sister Miriam! How did you...?"

No one relaxes, even after hearing her identity. Unfazed by the hostility aimed toward her, she takes a long drag

from her cigarette, the ember flaring bright in the dimness of the room. "You called me, did you not?"

| swallow hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I did, but | thought it didn't work."

"Because you didn't cto my home?" She laughs, but it sounds oddly affectionate. "Oh, Ava. You have so

much to learn."

Kellan shifts, his shoulders tense. "Who are you?"

Sister Miriam's gaze flicks to him, her eyes glittering. "I am many things, wolf. But to you, | am an ally. For now."

"For now?" Jericho growls, his hand twitching toward the gun at his hip.

"Peace," | say, stepping forward to touch the back of his shoulder. "She's here to help." They're both on edge

after that phone call, and so am I.

Sister Miriam inclines her head. "Indeed. Though | must say, your choice of companions is... interesting."

| take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "Sister Miriam, this is Kellan, Jericho, Marcus, Liam, Adam,

and Vanessa. They're friends. Pack."

Something flickers in her eyes, gone too fast to name. "I see."

"How did you get in here?" Kellan demands, his voice rough. "We have wards, guards..."

Sister Miriam waves a hand, dismissive. "Your wards are child's play, wolf. You should know this by now. As for

your guards? They never had a chance to spot me."

| shoulder my way forward, putting myself between her and the others. "You said you were here to help?"

She takes another drag from her cigarette, the smoke wreathing her face. "In a manner of speaking. You've

gotten yourself into quite the predicament, haven't you, child?"

The condescension in her tone hasbristling. "I didn't exactly plan for any of this." But | realize how childish

my response is as soon as the words cout of my mouth.

Of course | didn't plan for any of this. That doesn't change the fact that it's happening. It doesn't absolveof

the responsibility. A hard lesson, learned from the loss of too many lives.

"No, | don't suppose you did." She sighs, the sound ancient and weary. "But here we are."

"Can you help us find Lisa?" Kellan asks, his voice tight.

Sister Miriam's gaze slides to him, considering. "We already know where she is. | suspect you're askingto

help you save her, but that's not why I'm here."

"Then why are you here?" | ask, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

She smiles, slow and dangerous. "To teach you, of course. You've finally awakened your power, Ava. But you

have no idea how to control it."

| swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "I don't..."

"Don't what? Want to learn?" She laughs, the sound harsh and grating. "You don't have a choice, child. Your

power will consyou if you don't learn to master it."

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