Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 334

The branch trembles in my hand as I trace the intricate pattern onto the exposed earth. Sweat beads on my forehead despite the chill in the air. I’ve never done anything like this before, but Grimoire guides me through each step.

First, a rune.

Then, to tie in all four elements.

"Hold it steady, Vester," I mutter, glancing up at him. He’s holding Grimoire open, carefully following me around the circle without stepping on any of my work.

You’re doing well, Grimoire’s voice echoes in my mind. Remember, precision is key.

I nod, focusing back on the task at hand. The rune is complex, all swirling lines and sharp angles. One mistake could render the whole thing useless. No pressure, right?

I’m not entirely certain how these runes and glyphs work, but Grimoire assures me they’re what we need. Of course, I have questions like who was the first one to discover these glyphs and why do random glyphs have the power to do crazy things, but Grimoire just tells me to try to understand basic magic before diving into advanced history.

Not super helpful.

Finally, the last line connects, and I sit back on my heels, surveying my work. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough. I hope. A rune that spans across five feet in a rough circle of earth we’ve cleared for this purpose.

"Now what?" Vester asks, his voice low.

"Now, we fill it with twigs," I explain, reaching for the pile we’ve gathered. "They need to be connected, like a network."

We work in silence, carefully placing small sticks and brush into the inch-deep grooves I’ve carved. It’s painstaking work, but eventually, we finish.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and reach for my magic. It comes easier now, a warm current flowing through my veins. I direct it towards the flammable debris, willing them to ignite.

A soft whoosh fills the air, and when I open my eyes, the entire rune is ablaze. Fire dances along the lines, consuming the sacrifice of fuel with glee.

"Impressive," Vester murmurs, and I can’t help but feel a small surge of pride.

As the last of the twigs turn to ash, I call upon my magic again. This time, I summon water, watching as it pools in the grooves, turning the ash into a murky slurry. Slowly, the water seeps into the earth, leaving behind damp, ashen lines.

Earth. Fire. Water. Wind. It’s all here; all four elements.

Now, infuse it with your magic, Grimoire instructs. Visualize your power flowing into the earth, creating a barrier.

I place my hands on the ground, feeling the cool dampness against my palms. Closing my eyes, I imagine my magic as a golden light, seeping from my fingertips into the rune. It’s harder than I expected, like trying to pour honey through a pinhole.

But gradually, I feel something shift. The earth beneath my hands grows warm, and when I open my eyes, the rune is glowing with a soft, golden light. It pulses once, twice, three times before fading away.

And then, to my amazement, the earth begins to move. The grooves fill themselves in, erasing any trace of our work. Within moments, it looks like we’ve done nothing more than clear a patch of ground.

"By the moon," Vester breathes. He’s not one to stun easily.

Careful, as if worried he’ll ruin my work, he walks over the area, trying to find evidence of the ward. But there’s nothing there—at least not to his eye or touch.

My magic, though, recognizes it. Senses the ward I’ve placed here, like a beacon.

The science of glyphs might be shaky in my head, but I can see that they really work.

My legs feel a bit shaky, and I realize how much energy I’ve expended.

Vester stands as well, brushing dirt from his knees. "So, we’re done?"

I laugh, but it comes out more like a sigh. "Not even close. We need to do this every mile around the entire perimeter."

His eyebrows shoot up. "That’s going to take all night. Longer, actually."

Try days, Grimoire chimes in, unhelpfully.

I relay this information to Vester, whose expression grows concerned. "Can you keep up that pace?" he asks, eyeing me critically.

The question stings my pride a bit. "I managed well enough the night you rescued me," I remind him. "I can handle this."

As we walk, I can’t help but smile. It’s no wonder Vanessa loves him so much. Vester’s quiet strength and kindness shine through in moments like these. I make a mental note to tell her how much I appreciate her mate. _{freēwēbnovel.com}