Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 404

Chapter 404 Ava: New Theory

"That's the million dollar question," I mutter as Vanessa presses a wet washcloth against Ivy's forehead.

The coolness seems to settle her, and I wonder if she's conscious enough to hear our conversation. This isn't how I wanted her to find out that there's something definitely going on inside of her body.

Though now we really have no idea what it is.

Grimoire rounds the bed to squat on the other side, his intense gaze fixed on Ivy. Stoking Ivy's hand in a gesture I hope is comforting, I focus on the sensation emanating from her. The corruption pulses beneath Ivy's skin in an odd rhythm—one, two, three... pause. One, two, three... pause. Like a heartbeat, but not quite right.

This is no illusion. Your vast intellect must have overlooked something, oh wise one.

"Your sarcasm does nothing to help the situation." Grimoire glowers at Selene over the bed. "Unless you've suddenly developed expertise in magical theory?"

Calling it an illusion makes no sense at all. Even I know that much.

"Please enlighten us with your extensive knowledge of magic. I'm sure your centuries of study far exceed my own limited understanding."

The steady count in my head falters as their bickering intensifies. One-two-three... what comes next?

"Both of you, stop it." My fingers still on Ivy's wrist. "Selene, leave Grimoire alone. He's doing his best."

Her tail swishes. But—

"We're all missing something here, and sniping at each other won't help us figure it out." The strange rhythm starts again under my fingertips. One, two, three...

Why are you counting? Clearly decided retreat is better for her lupine pride, Selene nudges at my thigh with her paw.

I reach out with my magic again. But there's just nothing to interact

power inside of me almost vibrates in

it's an illusion?" Vanessa's voice interrupts

healer as he answers, settling into lecture mode. "Magic leaves traces. It isn't so easily hidden. When examining a patient, you must first establish baseline readings of their

eyes narrow at his tone. He sounds like one of my old teachers.

a little. She doesn't like how he's addressing Vanessa, either. It's a

Ivy's case, there are no physical manifestations. When I attempt

steady beat under my fingers skips. One-two... pause.

this thing listening to

"She has

Selene agrees. Why isn't she

symptoms, yes? Even a negative result can rule out

He freezes mid-sentence.

long I lift my head.

Vanessa, an intense gleam in his unnatural eyes. "You. Healer. Is there a way to

Forcing a

wolf," he says sharply. "We

examining Ivy's human form, but what if the corruption is hiding in her other

tighten on Ivy's wrist, that strange rhythm suddenly taking on new meaning. Maybe it isn't her heartbeat. Maybe the ebb and flow in response

gleam with triumph. "The wolf exists in a state between physical and metaphysical. If

her head. "And even then, it's risky. Her fever's

how can something affect only her wolf?"

same way Lucas and Aurum are separate, even though they're

you break your leg when you shift, it's

in my direction, as if batting away an annoying

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