Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 395

It isn’t that I’m avoiding her because of my feelings. I’m avoiding all the eyes that will be glued to us during our entire interaction. These stupid co-Luna rumors have gotten popular.

"Please. I’d avoid her too." Lisa watches Tommy demonstrate his perfect snowball technique to an attentive audience. "Actually, I am avoiding her. Hence why I’m out here with two thermoses of hot chocolate and way more cups than necessary."

"At least you have an excuse. You’re human."

"And you’re Luna. You can do whatever you want." She grins. "But there’s nothing wrong with strategic avoidance. It’s better than snapping and setting her on fire."

I snort. "I wouldn’t set her on fire."

"No?" She arches an eyebrow, studying me. "Because your magic is kind of making you sparkly. Thought it might be because you’re angry."

I glance down at my hands, noticing the faint shimmer beneath my skin. "That’s different. That’s just... excess magic."

Strange. I shouldn’t have much.

That is strange, Grimoire agrees, sounding confused.

"Right. Excess magic that showed up when someone mentioned her name."

"You’re exaggerating."

"Am I?" Lisa’s voice drops to a whisper. "Ivy."

The shimmer intensifies. I can see it.

I can, too.

"Stop that, Lise."

"See? I rest my case." Lisa looks far too pleased with herself. "Though I have to admit, the whole glowing thing is pretty cool. Like a built-in mood ring. When did that start?"

She’s taking it in stride more than I am. I’m freaking out a little and trying to pretend it isn’t happening. "It’s not cool when I’m trying to maintain my composure as a dignified Luna."

"Who says Lunas can’t glow? Maybe it’s a feature, not a bug."

Despite myself, a laugh bubbles up. Trust Lisa to find humor in my magical tells. "Yeah, because nothing says ’respect my authority’ like lighting up like a Christmas tree whenever I’m annoyed. Maybe I should star in the next Blockbuster vampire flick."

"Better than what I do. Last time she tried to talk to me, I knocked over an entire rack of practice weapons. Just... whoosh. Down they went. Had to distract myself before I got too mouthy with her too-perfect persona."

"That was you?"

"Yep. Kellan had to help clean it up." Lisa’s smile turns wistful. "He thought I tripped."

"Did you?"

"Nope. Pure spite. Though I did pretend to stumble so I wouldn’t look completely unhinged."

The kids’ laughter rings out across the clearing as they perfect their snowball techniques. Their joy is infectious, making it hard to maintain my sour mood.

"Maybe we’re being unfair," I say, though the words taste like I vomited into my own mouth. "She did just lose her entire escort team." That’s actually, objectively terrible. It’s a tragedy, and I’m over here whining because I don’t like her. What kind of shitty Luna does that make me? Even if they weren’t my pack members, these are people who have spent a long time with us in Wolf’s Landing.

"Maybe." Lisa doesn’t sound convinced. "Or maybe she’s playing up the sympathy angle. Just wait until you see her. You’ll notice how the bandage on her face somehow makes her look more attractive. Like some kind of wounded warrior princess."

"Lisa!"

"What? You will."

She’s coming, Selene says sourly.