"Are you okay?" Vanessa asks, grabbing my arm and inspecting the welts I''ve given myself.


    "Just crazy itchy. Ever since I connected with the book, it''s like energy is just buzzing right below my skin. Like a million ants at a dance party."


    She frowns. "I wish I knew more about magic and its side effects. I hate not knowing if these things are normal."


    "No kidding." Pulling my arm away, I scratch at it again.


    Marcus''s voice cuts through the night air. "Time''s up. Let''s move. Ava, come up front this time."


    I climb into the passenger seat, grateful for the change. At least I can stretch out my legs a little. The cracked leather beneath me is hard and pokey, but it''s still an improvement.


    Vanessa takes the back, and I can feel her watchful gaze on me even in the darkness.


    The truck rumbles to life, and we''re back on the road. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window, my eyes searching the sky. The stars are bright out here, away from the city lights. It''s been so long since I''ve really looked at them.


    My fingers find their way to my neck, scratching at the persistent itch that''s taken up residence there. I try to focus on the constellations, searching for familiar patterns in the vast expanse above.


    There''s Orion''s Belt, three stars in a perfect line. I remember learning about it as a kid, fascinated by the idea of hunters in the sky. Now, it feels like we''re the ones being hunted, even when no one knows where we are.


    The Big Dipper comes into view, its ladle shape unmistakable. I trace it with my eyes, following the line to the North Star. It''s supposed to be a guide, a constant in a chaotic world. Right now, I could use some of that stability.


    My mind wanders to Lucas, wondering if he''s looking at these same stars from his hospital bed. The thought sends a pang through my chest, sharper than any physical pain.


    I hope he''s okay.


    I hope he knows I''m coming.


    The bond in my chest feels stronger, maybe because the distance between us is shrinking. It feels like it''s happy we''re close.


    My nails dig deeper into my skin as I scratch, the itch becoming more insistent. It''s like my body is trying to crawl out of itself, restless energy with nowhere to go.


    Or, you know, it''s magic, and can''t be compared to something like stars...


    The itch intensifies, and before I can stop myself, my hand is at my neck again, nails scraping against skin. I catch myself quickly, but not before Vanessa notices.


    "Ava," she says, her voice a mixture of concern and exasperation. "You need to try to relax. The more you focus on it, the worse it''ll get."


    "I know, I know," I mutter, forcing my hand back to my lap. "It''s just driving me crazy. Like my skin doesn''t fit right anymore."


    Marcus glances over at me, his brow furrowed. "Is it getting worse?"


    I shrug, not wanting to worry them more than they already are. "It comes and goes. I''ll be fine."


    But even as I say it, I''m pretty sure I''m lying. The energy buzzing beneath my skin feels wilder now, less contained. It''s as if connecting with the book has opened some floodgate inside me, and now I''m struggling to hold back the tide.


    I turn my attention back to the stars, desperate for any distraction. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, a river of light cutting through the darkness. I remember reading once that every star we can see is part of our own galaxy, that the vast majority of the universe is hidden from our view.


    Like our lives now, and this new universe that''s taken over the world. Living in a wolf shifter pack, I thought we were the odd ones.


    Meeting Sister Miriam, then being invited into the Fae Ward...


    It''s just proven that there''s so much more out there. Even wolves like Marcus and Vanessa have been awed and humbled by the things they''ve witnessed.


    So much has been hidden, our lives segregated. And now, war.


    The truck hits a bump in the road, jolting me out of my thoughts. I realize I''ve been absently scratching at my arm again, and I quickly pull my hand away.


    "Sorry," I mumble, though I''m not sure if I''m apologizing to Vanessa, Marcus, or myself.


    Marcus''s voice is gentle when he speaks. "It''s okay, Ava. We''re all on edge."


    "I hear him," Vanessa says in excitement. "I hear Vester!"