Tangled

309 Ava: Grimoire's Plans

Ignoring Sister Miriam's curious stare, I dart for the cupboard where Grimoire's resting.

I rush to the cupboard, my fingers tingling as they make contact with Grimoire's supple leather cover. The moment I touch him, his mental shouts pierce my mind like a blast of thunder. "Grimoire, for the love of all that's holy, quiet down!" I wince, pressing my free hand to my temple. "Speak at a normal volume before you shatter my mental eardrums."

The roaring stops abruptly. Through our bond, I sense an almost sheepish energy emanating from the book. He clears his mental throat.

You've been wasting time theorizing when you could have just consulted with me, Grimoire says, sounding far too condescending for someone who was screaming at me to notice him.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Now you tell me." 2

"Ava?" Lucas's voice cuts through our conversation. I turn to find him frowning at me, confusion etched across his face. "What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, suddenly aware of how bizarre this must look to him and Sister Miriam. "I'd like you both to meet someone." I hold up the book. "This is Grimoire. He's... well, he's a sentient magic book. And apparently, he has some thoughts on our current situation." Sister Miriam's eyes widen, a spark of fascination igniting in their depths. She steps forward, hand outstretched. "Fascinating. May I?"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Before I can warn her, her fingers brush the cover. A bright spark erupts between them, and she yanks her hand back with a hiss.

Tell the bloodsucker to keep her hands off me, Grimoire's voice echoes in my mind, indignant. My lips twitch. "He doesn't want to be touched. He called you a bloodsucker. I don't think he's very friendly."

I'm very friendly, he snaps. When / want to be.

To my surprise, Sister Miriam's lips curl into an amused smile. "Well, he's not wrong. Though I prefer the term 'vampire' these days. It has a bit more... panache.

Setting the book on the table, I keep my hand flat on the cover as I sit next to Lucas once again. "Okay, Grimoire. You've been listening. What do you think about this situation?"

Your alpha's predicament is indeed complex. The memories aren't gone, merely locked. Think of it as a defense mechanism. The human mind couldn't process the raw, ancient power the wolf tapped into. So it builds a wall.

"So, how do we break down the wall?"

With a bomb, he says cheerfully.

There's no way I heard that right.

"With a what?"

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309 Ava: Grimoire's Plans

Lucas leans forward. "What did he say?"

I relay Grimoire's words quickly before pressing my hand more firmly against the book's cover.

"Care to elaborate?"

Not a physical bomb, you simpleton, Grimoire's voice echoes in my mind, dripping with disdain. A magical one. A surge of power so intense it shatters the mental barriers.

So, the Grimoire I first met is still a part of his personality. Not just a cuddlebug puppy of a bond, but an intellectual elitist.

No, no. I didn't mean it like that. The way he backpedals would be amusing if I wasn't more focused on the information he gave.

I relay his words again, watching their expressions shift from confusion to intrigue.

"That sounds dangerous," Lucas says, his voice tight with concern.

Sister Miriam leans forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. "It's not entirely without precedent. Brute force is often used when finesse fails."

Tell the bloodsucker she's not entirely useless, Grimoire says, sounding pleased by the vampire's understanding.

"Grimoire, what exactly would this 'magical bomb' do? And what are the risks?"

There's a pause, and I can almost feel Grimoire considering his words. It would be a concentrated burst of magical energy, focused on breaking down the mental barriers. The risks... well, they're not insignificant. Best case scenario, it works perfectly, and all memories are restored. Worst

case...

I swallow hard, already dreading the answer. "Worst case?"

Worst case, it could shatter more than just the barriers. It could fragment the mind entirely, leaving nothing but broken pieces.

My heart plummets. I relay Grimoire's words, feeling my brief rising hope dissipate.

Lucas is the first to break the silence. "So, it's either get my memories back or become a vegetable? Those aren't great odds."

One option is a gradual approach. Instead of a bomb, think of it as a slow erosion. We could use magic to slowly wear away at the barriers, allowing memories to trickle back over time.

"That sounds better," I say, hope rising in my chest. "What's the catch?"

It would take time. Possibly months, maybe even years. And there's no guarantee it would work completely. Some memories might remain locked away forever.

Once again, I'm a parrot, repeating it all for Lucas and Sister Miriam.

"We don't have that kind of time," Sister Miriam muses. "The war won't wait for a single alpha to regain his memories. The longer he is without them, the worse it is for all of us." "What do you think, Selene?" I ask, fishing for her presence in my mind.

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12:09

Tunna woning

309 Ava: Grimoire's Plans

everything he's lost. His memories, his sense of self, his connection to his wolf...

I shake my head; it doesn't feel worth the potential downsides.

I know it's not what you want to hear, Selene says, her presence in my mind softening. That's why I've remained silent during this discussion.

"Grimoire, is there anything in between these two extremes? Something that balances risk and speed?" Lucas asks, for the first time showing real interest in the conversation.

There is one other option, Grimoire says, his tone serious. It's a bit... unconventional.

"At this point, I think we're open to unconventional," I mutter.

The alpha could summon his wolf.

I blink, confusion washing over me. "Summon his wolf? What do you mean?"

Just as you summoned your wolf, Grimoire explains, his tone matter-of-fact.

My brow furrows deeper. "What are you talking about? I never summoned Selene. She just appeared one day."

I can almost feel Grimoire's exasperation through our bond. Child, do you truly believe a powerful being like Selene would simply materialize without cause? You called her, whether you realize it or not.