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.

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

of me almost vibrates in

do you think it's an illusion?" Vanessa's voice interrupts my frustrated dead-end

lecture mode. "Magic leaves traces. It isn't so easily hidden. When examining a patient, you must first establish baseline readings of

sounds like one of my old teachers. Not one

She doesn't like how he's addressing Vanessa, either. It's a valid question from someone with no

Ivy's prone form. "Temperature, heart rate, blood pressure. Then layer magical sensing over those readings. The metaphysical exists alongside the physical, not separate from it. But in Ivy's case, there are no physical manifestations. When I attempt to trace the corruption Ava senses, the magic disperses like smoke.

steady beat under my fingers skips.

thing listening

Vanessa argues. "She has

she's in a coma, Selene agrees. Why isn't she awake with all your

based on symptoms, yes? Even a negative result

He freezes mid-sentence.

long I lift my

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

she shakes her head. "It's dangerous. Forcing a shift on an ill wolf is not

wolf," he says sharply. "We

but what

that strange rhythm suddenly taking on new meaning. Maybe it isn't her heartbeat. Maybe

explain why we can't detect it." Grimoire's eyes gleam with triumph. "The wolf exists in a state between physical and

shakes her head. "And even

only her

same way Lucas and Aurum are separate,

Maybe. "But if you break your

his hand in my direction, as if batting away an annoying fly. "We need to verify this theory before we go down any

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