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.

with my magic again. But there's just

of power inside of me almost

illusion?" Vanessa's voice interrupts

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

eyes narrow at his tone. He sounds like one of my old teachers. Not

he's addressing Vanessa, either. It's a valid question from someone with no training in

He gestures to 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,

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

thing

there is something," Vanessa argues. "She has a fever. And this sleep is

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

result can rule

He freezes mid-sentence.

so long I lift my head.

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

says sharply. "We need to see her

human form, but what if the corruption

fingers tighten on Ivy's wrist, that strange rhythm suddenly taking on new meaning. Maybe it

wolf exists in a state between physical and metaphysical. If

need alpha command." Vanessa shakes her head. "And even then, it's risky. Her fever's too

something affect only her wolf?" I interject with a

Lucas and Aurum

kind of makes sense. Maybe. "But if you break your leg when you shift, it's still

annoying fly. "We need to verify

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