Tangled

262 Ava: Cassiopeia

"Are you okay?" Vanessa asks, grabbing my arm and inspecting the welts I've given myself.

"Just crazy itchy. Ever since I connected with the book, it's like energy is just buzzing right below my skin. Like a million ants at a dance party.

She frowns. "I wish I knew more about magic and its side effects. I hate not knowing if these things are normal."

"No kidding" Pulling my arm away, I scratch at it again.

Marcus's voice cuts through the night air. "Time's up. Let's move. Ava, come up front this time."

I climb into the passenger seat, grateful for the change. At least I can stretch out my legs a little. The cracked leather beneath me is hard and pokey, but it's still an improvement. Vanessa takes the back, and I can feel her watchful gaze on me even in the darkness.

The truck rumbles to life, and we're back on the road. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window, my eyes searching the sky. The stars are bright out here, away from the city lights. It's been so long since I've really looked at them.

My fingers find their way to my neck, scratching at the persistent itch that's taken up residence- there. I try to focus on the constellations, searching for familiar patterns in the vast expanse

above.

There's Orion's Belt, three stars in a perfect line. I remember learning about it as a kid, fascinated by the idea of hunters in the sky. Now, it feels like we're the ones being hunted, even

when no one knows where we are.

The Big Dipper comes into view, its ladle shape unmistakable. I trace it with my eyes, following the line to the North Star. It's supposed to be a guide, a constant in a chaotic world. Right now, I could use some of that stability.

My mind wanders to Lucas, wondering if he's looking at these same stars from his hospital bed. The thought sends a pang through my chest, sharper than any physical pain.

I hope he's okay.

I hope he knows I'm coming.

The bond in my chest feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is shrinking. It feels like it's happy we're close.

My nails dig deeper into my skin as I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It's like my is trying to crawl out of itself, restless energy with nowhere to go.

I wonder if this is how Lucas feels when the full moon approaches, this barely contained

wildness.

"Ava," Vanessa's voice is soft but firm from the back seat. "Try not to scratch. You'll make it

worse.

body

262 Ava: Cassiopeia

overwhelming. Instead, I press my palms flat against my thighs, focusing on the rough texture of

my jeans.

I hunt for the only other constellation I really know: The constellation Cassiopeia, its distinctive W shape a stark contrast to the surrounding darkness.

I remember reading about the myth, the vain queen who boasted of her beauty. Now she's forever in the sky, sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down. I wonder if the gods who put her there knew how apt a metaphor it would be for life-constantly turning, never stable.

Feels like me.

Marcus clears his throat, breaking the silence that's settled over us. "How are you holding up?" I tear my gaze away from the stars to look at him. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead, but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands grip the steering wheel a little too tightly.

"I'm okay" I lie, because what else can I say? That I'm stressed about the fate of the world and worrying that we won't find Lucas where he's supposed to be? That I feel like something else crazy is about to come around the corner at us at any second? "Just trying to relax a little.

He nods, not calling me out on the obvious untruth. "Good. We should be there soon. Just hang in there a little longer."

My fingers twitch, wanting to scratch again. I curl them into fists instead, nails digging into my palms. The pain is a welcome distraction from the incessant itching.

"Do you think Lucas is awake?" The question slips out before I can stop it, my voice sounding small and uncertain in the confines of the truck.

"It's late," Vanessa says gently from the back. "He's probably resting. Healing"

I nod. Of course he's sleeping. What time is it now? Midnight? A patient shouldn't be awake at this time of night.

Trying to distract myself, I think about the magic thrumming through my veins, the power that seems to have a mind of its own. Is it like starlight, traveling vast distances to reach its vessel- me? Or is it more like a supernova, a brilliant explosion waiting to happen?

Considering how everyone was worried I'd just explode and take a chunk of the world with me, I think it might be the latter.

Or, you know, it's magic, and can't be compared to something like stars...

The itch intensifies, and before I can stop myself, my hand is at my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly, but not before Vanessa notices.

"Ava," she says, her voice a mixture of concern and exasperation. "You need to try to relax. The more you focus on it, the worse it'll get.

"I know, I know," I mutter, forcing my hand back to my lap. "It's just driving me crazy. Like my skin doesn't fit right anymore"

Marcus glances over at me, his brow furrowed. "Is it getting worse?"

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But even as I say it, I'm pretty sure I'm lying. The energy buzzing beneath my skin feels wilder now, less contained. It's as if connecting with the book has opened some floodgate inside me, and now I'm struggling to hold back the tide.

I turn my attention back to the stars, desperate for any distraction. The Milky Way stretches. across the sky, a river of light cutting through the darkness. I remember reading once that every star we can see is part of our own galaxy, that the vast majority of the universe is hidden from

our view.

Like our lives now, and this new universe that's taken over the world. Living in a wolf shifter pack, I thought we were the odd ones.

Meeting Sister Miriam, then being invited into the Fae Ward...

It's just proven that there's so much more out there. Even wolves like Marcus and Vanessa have been awed and humbled by the things they've witnessed.

So much has been hidden, our lives segregated. And now, war.

The truck hits a bump in the road, jolting me out of my thoughts. I realize I've been absently scratching at my arm again, and I quickly pull my hand

away.

"Sorry," I mumble, though I'm not sure if I'm apologizing to Vanessa, Marcus, or myself.

Marcus's voice is gentle when he speaks. "It's okay, Ava. We're all on edge."

"I hear him," Vanessa says in excitement. "I hear Vester!"