Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 365 Ava: Exhausted

"Hold still." Vanessa's voice carries that stern edge I've come to associate with her healer mode as she slides a needle into my arm. "Your veins are collapsing. That's not good."

"I've been drinking water." The defense sounds weak even to my ears. Especially since I almost collapsed this morning, after nine days of nonstop purification. Marcus dragged me straight to the hospital, berating me the entire time for not taking care of myself.

To be fair, I didn't feel any worse than usual today. Not until the first round of taint cleansing.

"Not enough." She connects the IV line with practiced efficiency. "Your body's burning through resources faster than you're replacing them. These purifications are taking more out of you than you realize."

The fluid starts its slow drip into my veins. The bedroom feels too quiet, too still. Lucas and I are never here during the day anymore; we're both too busy. Even Selene and Grimoire have gone silent, probably sensing my exhaustion.

"I had three full bottles today."

"And you purified four sites yesterday over five miles." Vanessa checks my pulse, her fingers cool against my wrist. "I don't have the data to back this up, but I'm going to go on record and say it's like running four marathons back-to-back without refueling. Your electrolytes are dangerously low."

"But—"

"No buts." She pulls up a chair beside the bed. "Judging from your symptoms, the potassium levels in your blood are concerning. And when's the last time you ate a full meal outside of dinner?"

I have to think about that one. "Breakfast?"

"A piece of toast and a bit of jam isn't breakfast." Vanessa's voice softens. "The magic you're channeling requires fuel. Real fuel. And these purifications... they're not just cleaning the taint, right? You said they're drawing on your own magic to transform it."

Grimacing, I settle further back into my pillows. I've been trying to take care of myself, but I never really factored in things like electrolytes. That explains the bone-deep exhaustion. "How long do I need to stay here?"

"Until this bag is empty." She pats the bag and a tiny glass jar hanging beside it. "And you're going to eat the soup Kellan's bringing. All of it. Elverly swears by it. Says it's her mother's recipe."

"I will. I promise."

here to see you like this." Vanessa adjusts the drip rate. "He'd have kittens if he

why we're not telling

absolutely are telling him." She raises an eyebrow at my strangled protest. "Doctor-patient confidentiality doesn't apply when

"I'm not—"

The purifications are affecting your blood chemistry in ways we don't fully understand. Maybe it's just that you need to eat and drink a little more, but I can't guarantee that's the only issue. I don't have enough experience with

should have monitored you better. Your body isn't used to the amount of

been self-flagellating in my head since I

"What does that mean?"

need to be more careful. Monitor you more closely." Vanessa pulls out a small notebook. "I

"That seems excessive."

brink." She scribbles something in her notes. "You're not just dealing with

words stings. "I can't just stop. The taint is

She looks up from her notes. "What good are you to anyone if you work

hate that she's right. The room spins slightly as I shift position, proving her point. "How

before I can

pack life continuing without me. Voices carry through the window,

her voice gentler now. "But

know." It isn't that I disagree with her, or think she's wrong. I

spreading every day, being the only one able to

feels like an

settling across my legs. The extra warmth is a welcome; even with the wood stove stoked high and the relatively comfortable temperature,

even sense anything was wrong. One moment you were fine, the next— She presses her cold nose against my hand. You

now." My fingers sink into her thick ruff,

You're not fine.

that last purification. But it wouldn't have been

of you, please." The last thing I need is them tag-teaming me with guilt. "I