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."

gets worse. Without thinking, I press my palm to her forehead. She's burning

to

"I don't need—"

brooks no argument. "And

to protest, then closes it as another wave of dizziness hits. I

only because I don't think I can make

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

steps," I murmur. "We're not in

the snow. Ivy's breathing grows more labored with each step, and I take more

there." The medical lodge comes into view, smoke curling from its chimney.

are you helping me?" Her words slur slightly. "You hate

The door opens as we approach, Vanessa's concerned face appearing. "I just

to my shoulder.

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

asks, directing us to an empty

this." We ease Ivy

eyes flutter closed as

asks, already checking her blood

barely

again, stronger this time. I want to reach for it, to understand what I'm sensing, but not

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

but maybe it's better this way. Get her healthy first, then

with an IV bag. "But don't

seem to surprise Ivy, whose eyes

into a

the IV. I sink into a chair beside the

think caused this?" I ask our

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