Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 431

Magister Orion and his Fae friends are settled into the Grand Sage's cabin, though there isn't much room. Elverly, shockingly, takes it all in stride, without a single complaint. She treats the Fae with respect; it's so strange, coming out of that cranky old gnome woman. Is she ill?

Magister Orion settles into his vigil over the dream-eater, and the weight of responsibility lifts from my shoulders, if only for a moment. He's the only other person who can help me in this situation.

It's nice to have backup.

I am here, Grimoire points out.

It's not the same.

The question burns in my throat, but I need to know. Everyone else has left the room—once Elverly's room, but we've moved her bed into the Grand Sage's in order to use it as a temporary holding cell—except for Magister Orion, who studies the dream-eater's unconscious form with intense focus.

"Magister." My voice is soft; it's hard to let the words come out. "I need to ask you something."

His eyes meet mine. "Yes, child?"

"Ivy Shadowpine. She's a wolf shifter, a strong one. She's been missing since the dream-eater appeared at our hospital."

His head inclines slightly, encouraging me to go on.

"There was a strange feeling within her, something that felt corrupted and alive inside her."

His expression shifts, a subtle tightening around his eyes. "You suspect possession."

"Is it possible?" Heat rises to my face. "Could the dream-eater have taken over her body?" It's a fantastical question, especially once the dream-eater showed a form that doesn't look anything like Ivy. But she's still missing, and there's no other conclusion I can come to.

Magister Orion's gaze returns to the creature. His massive frame seems to grow still, like a statue carved from ancient stone. "Yes."

His answer is expected, but still horrifying. My stomach churns. "How?"

"That, I cannot determine." He gestures to the dream-eater. "These creatures do not possess in the way you are thinking; they leave no trace of their victims. They consume the essence, the memories, everything that makes a person who they are."

"So Ivy is—" The words stick in my throat. It's hard to imagine such a strange death.

"Gone." He speaks gently. "And possibly for quite some time. The signs would have been subtle. The dream-eater did not take her body, but stole her form. If you wolves did not scent the difference…"

My hands shake; this creature was walking among us, wearing her face. Her voice. Even her scent. "No."

"The dream-eater would easily learned her mannerisms, her relationships." Magister Orion sighs. "They know everything."

"Ready to head out?" Kellan's voice breaks through the conversation as he opens the door.

The Magister waves his hand at me. "Go. Rest. I can feel your exhaustion."

Sighing, I push myself off the floor. "I'm ready. Could you call Vanessa to meet us at your cabin? I need to speak with her. And you."

His eyes glaze over for a second. "Done. She's on her way."

* * *

Vanessa takes the news better than I did, and she admits she suspected much of the same. We both wonder how long Ivy's been gone, but it's impossible to know.