Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted

"You went through it too, didn't you?"

Scooping scrambled eggs out of a pan isn't usually hard, but the cast-iron pan isn't as non-stick as I was told it was. Or maybe I'm using it wrong. Either way, there's an entire layer of egg still on it.

I'll deal with it later.

"What do you mean?" Tossing the wooden spatula into the pan, I squint across the kitchen at Lisa, having only acquired three-quarters of the eggs onto a plate. "You can't just ask me an open-ended question without context."

Lisa's got her chin in her hand, staring out the kitchen window at the hustle and bustle outside. Clayton's group has arrived, and I'm playing hooky over my Luna responsibilities out of deference to my mate's uncomfortable feelings when it comes to the Aspen Alpha.

It isn't like I'm going to avoid him the entire time he's here, or anything. Lucas just seemed a little on edge about his arrival.

Lisa shifts in her seat, fingers drumming against her cheek. "You know, when Todd… Did what he did. Was there ever any, um, pleasure? Even if you didn't want it?"

My body freezes. I don't think of Todd Mason often anymore, but there are nightmares sometimes.

Lisa's eyes are fixed on something beyond the window; she doesn't look at me even once.

Taking a breath, I grab the plate and slide it in front of her, along with a fork. "No," I admit, the answer coming out steady despite the rawness of the topic. "I didn't. But I've heard it's more common than you'd think."

Lisa nods, poking at the eggs with her fork, but still without turning her head. It's like she's afraid of accidentally making eye contact. "Yeah. We probably watched the same documentary."

I drag out the chair across from her, dropping into it with a thud. Folding my arms on the table, I rest my chin on them, watching Lisa push the eggs around her plate without taking a bite.

The silence stretches, punctuated by distant voices outside and the scrape of her fork against ceramic. The reason she's talking now is probably because of the wardstone on the table. No one can hear us.

"Can you..." Lisa stops, clears her throat. "Can Grimoire come out? I want to know more about this link I have with the crazy bastard."

I blink, surprised by the request.

"I refuse to call him the Mad Prince anymore," Lisa adds, voice stronger now. "I've always thought it was a cringey name, anyway."

A laugh bubbles up before I can stop it. "God, it really is, isn't it? Sounds like something from a bad vampire romance."

The air beside me shimmers, molecules rearranging themselves until Grimoire materializes in the chair to my left. He's in his adult form, but at least he's left the flames behind.

"What do you want?" he asks Lisa, his words clipped.

Lisa sets down her fork, finally turning her face in order to meet his silver gaze. "Tell me honestly. How bad is it for me? Since the vampire made me... you know."

"Come? Orgasm? Climax? Experience la petite mort? Reach sexual culmination?"

I smack him upside his head, my hand passing through his form but carrying enough magical force to make him wince. "She doesn't need you messing with her trauma."

Lisa looks a little sick, her face pale against the dark curtain of her hair.

Grimoire clears his throat, the smirk fading from his face as he seems to register the genuine distress in Lisa's eyes. I guess his conscience is finally kicking in.

"With a weak vampire, the connection would fade within days," he explains, voice softer now. "But a stronger one might establish a more permanent link, even if weak. It depends on intent—was he trying to create a thrall, or was it temporary sustenance?"

Lisa wraps her arms around herself, shoulders hunching forward. "It's clear he wanted to keep me around."

"Obviously," Grimoire says.

Her eyes narrow. "Then why did you ask?"

Grimoire straightens, indignation flaring across his features. "When did I ask you? I was explaining, and you interrupted."

I scrunch my nose at Grimoire's dismissive tone. He might be ancient and powerful, but Lisa's my best friend, and nobody gets to treat her this way—especially not after everything she's been through. "One more snarky comment and I'll let Selene have her way with your book form."

Grimoire's silvery eyes widen a fraction, real concern flashing across his features. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." I hold his gaze, refusing to back down.

Lisa shifts in her seat, wincing slightly. "My leg really hurts today, right where the crazy bastard bit me." She rubs at her thigh through her jeans again. "It's like it's... pulsing. I can't get a break from it."

Grimoire studies Lisa with greater intensity. "We really need to contact Ava's vampire friend," he says, his voice dropping to a more serious register.

She's a dhampir, Selene corrects.

"Semantics aren't helpful right now," Grimoire snaps.

"Pretty sure you're the one being less helpful than expected," Lisa mumbles, stabbing at her eggs with renewed vigor. Since she can't hear Selene, she must have assumed his words were directed to her.

Grimoire sighs, and for once, he actually sounds sympathetic. "It's unlikely we'll be able to break the bond you have with the vampire until he's dead. Though I could be wrong."

The kitchen suddenly feels colder. Lisa shoves some egg into her mouth, and tears gather in her eyes, rendering them glassy.

"The best option is to assume the worst," Grimoire continues. "That you have a permanent link to the Mad Prince, rendering you vulnerable to his influence at any time."

I bite my lip, crossing my arms tight across my chest. "What are the odds, though? Does this happen all the time? With every feeding?"

Grimoire shakes his head, silver eyes reflecting the morning light streaming through the window. "Intent matters. While over half of vampire attacks on humans are also sexual in nature, very few involve a long-term arrangement. Vampires are, after all, capable of feeding off someone only once without creating a bond."

Lisa's brow creases as she squints in Grimoire's direction. "I have another question. Can being fed on a lot change your entire personality? Because Marisol was always... different. When I first met her, I thought she was a victim. Other times, she was vicious and cruel."

Grimoire taps his fingers against the table. "I can't be sure. Vampires are notoriously possessive of their thralls, usually keeping them nearby or in safe locations, like prized pets."

The word "pets" makes Lisa flinch, and I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. Something soft pings against my awareness—it's coming from one of my perimeter wards, but it's weird. I don't think I've set any of them to have such a soft 'announcement.'

"Lisa, I'm sorry—I think we need to go check on something. One of my wards is acting up."

Lisa stabs at her eggs one last time before sighing and pushing the plate away. "It's fine. I should just go back to Kellan's cabin. Maybe he'll get back today."

"You should eat something," I say, eyeing the barely touched breakfast. "Even if it's just a piece of toast."

She shakes her head, dark hair swinging with the movement. "Not hungry. The leg thing is making me nauseous anyway."

I don't push it. There's no point forcing her; I'm not very good at it. Elverly is, though, and I make a mental note to send the cantankerous gnome Lisa's way later.

"I really hope Kellan gets back soon, too," I tell her honestly. Lisa will feel safer with him around.

"Yeah." Lisa's voice catches slightly. "I mean, just so the guards will stop staring at me like I'm about to sprout fangs and attack them."noveldrama

She tries for a laugh, but it falls flat.

"I'm pretty sure they're staring at you like they're worried you're going to faint," I correct her, my fingers twitching with the urge to pat her head like she's a child in need of comfort. She just looks so lonely. "Maybe you can do me a favor and check on the Magister and Pip for me. The Fae have basically holed up since she got here."

"I can do that," Lisa agrees, perking up a little. Having a job will probably help with her anxiety. "The girl's a princess, right? She's probably going crazy being stuck here with nothing to do."

I think back to my first glimpse of Pip. Her terrible choice in clothes aside, she holds herself with determination, and is brave enough to stay silent when interrogated by Lucas, of all people. Shaking my head, I say, "No, I have a feeling that isn't the case with her."

Lisa just hums thoughtfully. "She still hasn't said anything about Vanessa's brother, then?"

I shake my head. "No, nothing. He's still missing." Lucas told me about the strange, artificial-Ryder scent they'd followed, leading them to a strange button which summoned Pip. It's all very fantastical, but after the past few months, it just feels kind of… normal.

While I want to find Ryder—Vanessa hasn't said much, but I know she has to be worried, and I'm concerned it will affect her current state—I'm actually more concerned about the bodies disappearing. But, as always, we have no answers.

It's more than a little tiring.

Come on, Grimoire snaps. Stop dawdling.

Another soft ping at my ward. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. Selene, let Lucas know where we're going."

Got it.