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."

I press my palm to her forehead.

to see

"I don't need—"

a fever." My tone brooks no argument. "And

her mouth to protest, then closes it as another wave of dizziness hits. I tighten my grip on

only because I don't think I can make it there

supporting her weight. She's lighter than I expected, and heat radiates through her

murmur. "We're

through the snow. Ivy's breathing grows more labored

The medical lodge comes into view, smoke

are you helping me?" Her words

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

head drops to

we guide Ivy inside. The warmth hits like a wall after the bitter

asks, directing us to

ease Ivy onto the

eyes flutter closed as

you felt ill?" Vanessa asks, already checking her blood pressure and

days." Her voice is barely audible. "Thought it was

time. I want to reach for it, to

dehydrated. And your body temperature is dangerously high." Vanessa disappears

to approach Ivy about the corruption, but maybe it's better this way. Get her healthy first,

says, returning with an IV bag. "But don't

as they seem to surprise Ivy, whose eyes crack open. "Being alone sucks. I can keep her

turns into

I sink into a chair beside the bed, watching the

you think caused this?" I ask our

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