Chapter 400 Ava: Confronting Ivy

Snow crunches under my boots as I pace, each step carving deeper tracks into the pristine cover of snow that swept in overnight.

Three steps left. Three steps right. My breath clouds in front of my face.

"Just knock already," I mutter to myself.

You've been out here twenty minutes, Selene points out.

"Not helping."

How do you tell someone they might be corrupted by dark magic? 'Hey, noticed you've been acting weird lately, mind if I check for evil taint?' Yeah, that'll go over well.

The door flies open with a bang that makes me jump. Ivy stands in the doorway, her usual perfect appearance nowhere to be found. Dark circles ring her eyes, and her chestnut hair hangs limp around her face.

"What do you want?" Her voice comes out raspy, like she's been gargling glass.

"I..." All my carefully planned words evaporate. "Are you okay?"

She leans against the doorframe. "Fine. Just tired."

But she's not fine. I can see the slight tremor in her hands, the way she's barely keeping herself upright. My magic flutters in response to... something.

"You look sick."

"Thanks." Her laugh turns into a cough. "Always good to hear how terrible I look."

"That's not what I meant." I step forward, catching her arm when she sways. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Yes." She tries to pull away but doesn't have the strength. "Or tried to. Everything hurts."

press my palm to her forehead.

to

"I don't need—"

tone brooks no

then closes it as another wave

I don't think

arm around her waist, supporting her weight. She's lighter than

steps," I murmur. "We're

snow. Ivy's breathing grows more labored

comes into view, smoke curling from its chimney. "Just a little

are you helping me?" Her words

as we approach, Vanessa's concerned face appearing. "I just don't

head drops to my

to help, and together we guide Ivy inside. The warmth

directing us to an empty

like this." We ease Ivy onto the

flutter closed as

long have you felt ill?" Vanessa asks, already checking her blood

days." Her voice is barely

stronger this time. I want to reach for it,

high." Vanessa disappears from

I planned to approach Ivy about the corruption, but maybe it's better this

an IV bag. "But don't just stand there

to surprise

Luna." Ivy's laugh turns into a

eyes close again as Vanessa inserts the IV. I sink into a chair beside the bed, watching the steady drip

caused this?"

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