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.

don't know. I just am." Frustrated, I reach out with my magic again. But there's just nothing to interact with. Just

of me almost vibrates in

illusion?" Vanessa's voice interrupts my frustrated dead-end

mode. "Magic leaves traces. It isn't so

at his tone. He sounds like one of my old teachers. Not one I liked.

It's

But in Ivy's case, there are no physical manifestations. When I attempt to trace the corruption

my fingers skips. One-two... pause.

this thing listening to

Vanessa argues. "She has a fever. And

seems like she's in a coma, Selene agrees. Why isn't she awake

based on symptoms, yes? Even a negative result can rule out causes. There's nothing there; therefore, the fever might

He freezes mid-sentence.

silence stretches so long

gleam in his unnatural eyes. "You. Healer. Is there a way to force a shifter

Forcing a shift on an ill wolf

he says sharply. "We

dawns. We've been examining Ivy's human form, but what if the corruption is hiding in her other

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

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

shakes her head. "And

how can something affect only her wolf?"

way Lucas and Aurum are

"But if you break your leg

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

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