Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 482

Chapter 482: Ava: What’s in a Name?

The ghost’s translucent form wavers in the air, tilting its head at such a severe angle it would snap a living neck. My question seems to have thrown it for a loop—which is something, at least?

"Whooo am I? Who aaaaaam I? Who am I..."

Its voice slides up and down octaves like a broken flute, each more distorted than the last. My question seems to have broken it because it suddenly flickers violently as it zips away. But then it comes back.

And then it leaves again, still droning the question.

Elverly glares at me from behind the serving counter as if this spectral nuisance is somehow my fault.

Which... if you really break it down, it kind of is, but I don’t really feel like it is, either. But you don’t argue with Elverly. Even Lucas would hesitate to correct her if she said the sky was lime green.

Fantastic plan.

Grimoire’s dry voice has me rolling my eyes. "How stupid would you feel if he was willing to answer and we never tried?"

A fair point, I suppose.

Well—first things first. "Let’s get him out of here. He’s bothering everyone."

You just don’t want people watching.

Who would? There’s a good chance I’m going to look like an idiot.

Selene moves closer to my side, her silver fur bristling as she stares up at the erratic ghost. She’s growling, though it’s a soft rumble. What I wouldn’t give to sink my teeth into that thing. Too bad my bite would just pass right through.

The ghost suddenly stops its frenzied movement, hovering perfectly still twenty feet above us. Its hollow eyes fix directly on Selene, and its face... shuts down.

There’s no other way to describe it. All expression fades.

And then it starts to sing.

"There was a human had a wolf and Selya was her name-o! S-E-L-Y-A..."

Selene’s ears go back and her hackles rise impossibly high. How does he know that name?!

My hand instinctively drops to her head, trying to soothe her with a quick pet. "Do you recognize it?"

The ghost cartwheels through the air, delighted—I think. It’s hard to tell when he isn’t making any facial expression as he bursts out in song. Then it swoops closer to Selene, its voice growing louder with each repetition of the song before it zips away again.

"S-E-L-Y-A! S-E-L-Y-A!"

That’s not possible, she whispers. This name is long forgotten.

"But who is it?"

The ghost darts toward us so suddenly I stumble backward, nearly tripping over Selene. It hovers inches from my face, its transparent features distorting as it suddenly grins.

"Little wolf lost in the woods, little wolf found her way home!" it sings, changing tunes without warning. "Little wolf died all alone, all alone, all alone!"

Selene snaps her jaws at it, her sharp teeth closing on empty air as the ghost cackles and spins away.

How does it know? she demands again, stronger this time, fury replacing her shock. No one knows that name. No one left alive.

The ghost cackles. "Dead men tell no tales, but ghosts? Ghosts know aaaaaaall the secrets!"

It’s different from before. Like it’s really paying attention—and maybe even hearing Selene, which... no. That’s crazy. It can’t.

"What do you want?" I ask, trying to keep my voice level despite the unease crawling up my spine.

The ghost’s form wavers, solidifying slightly as it leans forward. "Want? Want? WANT?" Each repetition grows louder until it’s practically screeching. "I want what was TAKEN from me!"

Plates and cups on nearby tables rattle, and more than one accusing look is thrown my way this time.

Yeah. Time to get out of here.

It isn’t very important. An old name. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"A Luna can never outshine the sun! And the sun came out and dried out all the rain. Can you dry out the rain?"

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