Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 366

LISA

I am a precision instrument.

Or, well, my wrist brace is.

Okay—the word precision might be stretching it a bit. If I’m within fifty yards of my target, I might be able to get a single hit off in a real fight.

But the real point here is, if I hit my target, their head is going to explode. The power I hold in a single wrist brace might be getting to my head a little.

"Timber!" I shout cheerfully, though no one’s near the tree now falling.

The Grand Sage’s pen scratches across his notepad with manic energy. His white hair sticks up in every direction, like he’s been electrocuted. Which, knowing him, is entirely possible.

"Excellent work today, Lisa. The trajectory calculations are spot on." He peers at me over his glasses. "Your aim has improved significantly, and we’ve even increased the economy of power consumption."

Pride swells in my chest. "Thanks to your adjustments on the brace." I flex my wrist, admiring how the metal catches the weak winter sunlight. "Though I still need to work on my stamina."

"Nonsense." He waves his pen at me. "The amount of magical energy required to power these devices is substantial. Your body needs time to adjust."

"But what if I need to use it in an emergency?" The tree I felled lies in the snow, its branches spread like fallen soldiers. "I can’t ask the bad guys to wait while I catch my breath."

"Which is precisely why we’re developing alternative power sources." He flips through his notes. "The blood activation is merely temporary. I have some promising theories about crystalline batteries."

My eyebrows shoot up. "Crystals? Like the ones Ava uses?"

"Similar principle, different application." He scribbles something else, muttering under his breath. "We could potentially store excess magical energy for later use."

The concept makes my head spin. "So I wouldn’t need to use my own energy every time?"

"Precisely!" His eyes light up with that mad scientist gleam I’ve come to both love and fear. "Think of it as a magical battery pack. Pre-charged and ready for deployment. It would allow more than just a Fae-blessed owner to use this magitech."

I rub my arms, trying to warm up. The cold has seeped through my workout clothes, and my sweat is starting to freeze. "But you’d need to use Ava’s power for that, right? She’s already stretching herself too thin."

"In a sense, yes."

The Grand Sage’s shoulders slump at my mention of Ava. "That girl works herself to exhaustion. No concept of pacing."

"She’s just desperate to keep everyone safe." My throat tightens. The memories of that party flash through my mind—blood and screams and death. Bodies of wolves who died protecting us. Protecting me. "She blames herself for every injury, every death. She takes her role as Luna seriously."

I can’t blame her. There’s a silent debt on my soul, even though no one’s said a word to me about the lives Westwood lost at that ill-fated party so long ago.

"Much like someone else I know." The Grand Sage’s keen eyes pierce through me.

I busy myself with adjusting my brace. "At least I’m doing something useful now. These weapons you’re creating could save lives."