Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 402

"Nothing." Vester’s voice carries through the tent flap. "Not even static. Just dead air."

I pause outside the debriefing tent, my heart thudding against my ribs. The grim tone in Vester’s voice makes my news about Ivy seem trivial.

"And the watch?" Lucas asks.

"Same as the others. No signal, no connection." A pause. "This isn’t like Ryder. He knows better than to go dark without warning."

I push through the tent flap. Both men turn toward me, their faces drawn with concern. Maps and papers litter the table between them, markers dotting locations I don’t recognize.

"How long since his last check-in?" Lucas asks Vester, though his eyes stay on me.

"Eight hours. He should have reached Jericho’s location by now."

My fingers twist together. The weight of their conversation presses down on me, making my own concerns feel small. One of Lucas’ deltas is missing—possibly in danger. My news about Ivy and her strange corruption can wait. It isn’t as urgent.

"What is it, Ava?" Lucas’ voice softens when his eyes land on me. He extends his hand toward me, an invitation I can’t resist.

Stepping closer, I savor the warmth of his hand curling around mine. "It can wait. This is more important."

"If you’re here, it’s important." His thumb strokes over my knuckles. "Tell me."

Vester shifts, his attention moving to the maps. The illusion of privacy in a space too small for secrets.

Tell him, Selene urges.

"It’s Ivy." The words tumble out. "She’s sick—but it’s more than that. There’s something inside her. A corruption, maybe, but different from what we’ve seen before. More controlled."

Lucas’ grip tightens. "Controlled how?"

"It pulses with her emotions. Responds to them. And she’s aware of it, even if she doesn’t understand what it is." I glance at the maps, at the markers showing Ryder’s last known position. "She passed out in the middle of telling me about it. About feeling something clawing inside her."

"When did this start?"

"After the attack on her escort team. I’d like to know more about that."

"The attack site was... messy." Vester spreads his hands over a section of the map marked with a red X. "Blood everywhere. Signs of a serious fight."

"But no bodies?" My stomach churns.

"None." Lucas’ jaw tightens. "The snow was disturbed enough to suggest multiple casualties, but we found no remains. The blood patterns indicated fatal wounds."

"Could they have been taken?"

Vester traces a line on the map. "Most likely. The tracks were confusing. Some led north, others south. Most were obscured by fresh snowfall before we arrived."

"What about Ivy’s account?"

Lucas exchanges a look with Vester. "She described a brutal ambush. Said her entire escort died protecting her." _{freewebnøvel.coɱ}

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