Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 339

Aurum’s golden figure streaks through the wolves defending us, in an unerring line straight for the closest vampire.

Seconds later, there’s a blood-curdling roar.

Stop standing around staring, Grimoire says, unaffected by the fear crawling through my skin. They need your help.

Tearing my eyes from Aurum/Lucas, I dash forward, my magic-crafted blade cool against my sweaty palm.

"What’s next?" I ask, squeezing through a mass of fur and hot bodies. The noise is too loud to hear my own voice, but Grimoire picks up my words straight from my head.

Get closer. You’ll hurt an innocent if you try to do anything here. You don’t have the control yet.

Ducking under a wildly swinging arm, I come face to face with a stranger. Pale skin. Lips glistening red, cracking at the corners, where you can see pale flesh peeking out beneath the blood.

Fangs. Long fangs, far longer than I ever thought a vampire could have, and red eyes that lock onto mine with unerring accuracy.

Don’t go straight for the head, Grimoire warns as I do just that.

My blade whistles through the air. It’s a clumsy strike, born of fear and adrenaline rather than skill, and I’m too far in to abort.

A vice-like grip closes around my forearm. The vampire’s strength is inhuman, and I’m yanked forward, losing my balance.

But my body moves before my brain can catch up. Instinct takes over, even if it’s a little sluggish and unrefined. With a twist of my body I’d never be able to replicate again, I manage to wrench my arm free of the vampire’s grasp. Moving with the momentum, I throw myself into an awkward roll. My shoulder hits the ground hard, but I manage to scrabble back to my feet, now behind the vampire.

He’s turning, trying to get to me, but he’s too slow, dragged in various directions. Everyone’s grabbing, snapping, clawing at him, even as he fights back. He has too many enemies.

I don’t hesitate. With both hands, I drive my blade into his back, angling upward.

Add fire to the blade. Grimoire’s command rings clear in the chaos.

I don’t question it. I reach for that well of power inside me, channeling heat through my arms and into the blade. The effect is instantaneous. The vampire’s body stiffens, then begins to glow from within. He tears away from me with an unholy shriek that freezes the blood in my veins.

He writhes in agony, wrenching himself away, even as my weapon tears through his flesh and bones, leaving me staggering as he frees himself. The wolves in front of him dart back, likely afraid of the flames they can see.

Then, impossibility unfolds before my eyes. Strange, inky clouds materialize around the vampire’s form. They writhe and pulse, shot through with flashes of crimson lightning. It’s as if the very fabric of reality is tearing apart around him. To my horror, I watch as the vampire’s body begins to grow, stretching and contorting into something monstrous.

Before I can even think to run, the creature turns lunges at me with impossible speed.

Duck left! Grimoire’s voice cuts through my panic. I obey without thinking, feeling claws whistle past my ear. Get your hand on him. Any part of him. Channel your fire.

My body moves as if possessed, following Grimoire’s instructions to the letter. The vampire-thing lunges for me and I slam my hand against its face, feeling its fangs cut at my palm. A spurt of flame erupts from my skin, greedily reaching toward the strange vampire’s distorted face.

It reels back with another shriek.

Blade to your left hand, infuse it with ice. Strike at its midsection.