Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 247 Ava: Pre-Heating

Vanessa shakes her head. "You might have a fever from overworking yourself, but I doubt it. At this point you're more shifter than human, I think—you shouldn't be getting sick. You don't even need your glasses anymore."

"It's probably fine—"

"Better to check," she interrupts. "I'll get my supplies and check with Magister Orion to see if this is normal after an extended time in that magic room of his."

"You're making a big deal out of nothing. I'm fi—" The room tilts as I take a step, and suddenly the floor rushes up to meet me. Vanessa's quick reflexes save me from an ignoble face-planting.

"You were saying?" Her tone is gentle but firm, her fingers digging into my arms as she sets me straight again.

My nose wrinkles. My sense of smell still isn't as acute as theirs, but I swear I can scent her satisfaction. Maybe it's my imagination. "Okay, maybe I'm a little wobbly."

Vanessa guides me to the bathroom, her arm a constant support. "Take your time. I'll be right outside if you need me."

When I emerge, she tucks me back into bed like I'm a child. The mattress feels too soft and too hard all at once. I want to protest, to tell her I can go downstairs and speak to Magister Orion myself, but exhaustion weighs me down.

I'm definitely not feeling right.

Marcus appears in the doorway, his hulking frame filling the space. He nods at Vanessa. "I've got this. Go talk to the wizard."

As Vanessa leaves, I shift restlessly. One moment I'm burning up, the next I'm shivering. Blanket on, then off. A deep ache settles into my bones, making it impossible to get comfortable.

Marcus is here now, in the corner. The tension in his shoulders is obvious. Guess he doesn't like germs.

I drift in and out of consciousness, fragments of my earlier nightmare flashing through my mind. The murky stream, the bizarre presence.

Odd how I didn't remember it when I woke, because now I'm cold from my hair to my toes at the memory of it. Something insidious lurks there.

My lungs burn. I take shallow breaths, because it's impossible to fill my lungs with air.

I toss and turn. Even my fingertips hurt.

A cough builds in my chest, and I try to avoid letting it out.

When it finally escapes, it feels like my entire torso rips apart, leaving me sore and bruised in my ribs.

Marcus shifts from foot to foot. He's clearly uncomfortable. He's usually a statue when he's on watch.

"Don't worry," I rasp, trying for a weak smile. "You can't catch whatever this is."

He grunts. "I don't get sick."

I sigh, sinking further into the pillows. "Must be nice."

The silence stretches between us, broken only by my occasional coughs and the rustle of sheets as I toss and turn.

back to Lucas. I hope Sister Miriam and Selene get back

croak, "have you heard

He shakes his head.

course he hasn't. He would

tiny flicker of hope is dashed,

body, leaving me

minute,"

someone who professes he can't get sick, he sure

hope she has

words, Vanessa bustles into the room, her arms full of supplies. Magister Orion follows close behind,

child?" His booming voice seems softer

up, but my arms shake with the effort. "Like I've been hit by a truck. Do you

he says cheerfully, taking my

a cool hand to my forehead. Her mouth is pinched with worry. "She's burning up. She shouldn't be this sick

Magister Orion agrees, scratching at his head. "The training room has never had any side effect outside of exhaustion, but I suppose there's a first

over me, taking my temperature and checking my vitals, Marcus steps out of the room. I snort with laughter. "He's worried

glances up in surprise. "I doubt that. He has no reason to fear germs." But she looks

"Oh, goody. More doctoring."

Sit back, Ava. I'm just going to make sure you don't

I muse, following her commands as best as I

at least,

around in different directions

have a lab to run your bloodwork, but your blood pressure is sky high. You're tachycardic. Clammy to the touch.

"Of course."

"Where are we?"

we are, so why

feel like home,

what day it

Wednesday. I was

glances at Magister Orion before sitting on my bed, her words slow and gentle, like she's talking to a child. "Where did you go on

You were with me."

was. Good job,

praise, even as she shoves a

"Whaff diff fo?"

checked with the forehead thermometer, but I just want to see it

I wiggle a little

my mouth, squinting at the numbers. "Well, that's not good. Ava,

* * *

an ice bath from hell, I fall

how long it

a chair next to my bed. It wasn't there

a whisper, leaning over to touch my