Tangled

84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

Dr. Ellison never appears before me again. @

My new doctor is an older woman who smells like a mix of raw meat and chocolate chip cookies. Like a bunny–slaughtering, chubby grandma. It’s an odd mix that makes my nose wrinkle a little.

“Good morning, Miss Grey,” she greets me, her voice gentle and sweet, belying her stocky frame. It only adds to the Disney grandma effect, still with a side of vicious killer. “I’m Dr. Annise Beaumont, and I’ll be taking over your care from now on.”

She moves closer, and I flinch without thinking, tensing at her approach.

The rational part of my mind knows she’s here to help,

but after the disastrous encounter with Dr. Ellison, I

can’t shake the sense of unease that settles in the pit of my stomach. I don’t want to be touched by people

who hate me.

Dr. Beaumont seems to notice my apprehension, knitting her brows together as she watches me. “I’ve heard of your issues with Dr. Ellison. He’s well known

C 84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

to be a bit of a problem child. Too big for his britches after heading

ng off to university. No need to worry, dear. I don’t care what pack you’re from. I’m just going to check your vitals and take a look at those wounds, make sure everything is healing properly.”

Of course. All important things a normal doctor would

1. do.

myself to relax

grandma scent, her fingers surprisingly deft as they press against

maternal touch is

is a little elevated,” she murmurs, -more to herself than to me. “But that’s to be

“That should go up with some medication changes,” she says, before launching into a casual story about how her daughter had spent a day in the hospital the

ill from

13

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Ava: Doctor’s Care

the shifter parents at daycare. Turns out, she’d eaten something she shouldn’t, and there was no horrifying epidemic taking down little

find myself drawn in by her soothing cadence, the tension slowly ebbing from my body as she works, carefully checking every wound on my face and neck before

the ragged wounds on my abdomen, angry and raw, has my breath catching in my throat. Vivid memories of the fight with Todd flash through my mind, and I have to squeeze my eyes shut to

Dr. Beaumont murmurs, her voice a gentle anchor pulling me back to the present. “Just focus on my voice,

my gaze on her face as she carefully

revulsion I would expect at the sight of my mangled

Ava: Doctor’s

her fingers ghosting over the edges of the wounds, just shy of touching them. “They cleaned it up well. We’ll need to keep them clean and

Beaumont works in silence for a few minutes, her

back, giving me an appraising look that makes

her voice laced with sympathy. “But you’re a fighter, I can see that. And with the right help, you’ll come through this stronger than

mouth to respond, but she holds up a hand, effectively silencing me.

to talk later. I’m going to reduce the frequency of your pain medication, and now that you’re awake I’ll have you swallow them as pills

Doctor’s

through the IV.”

though she’s waiting for

required licensing of the government. I’m not sure how it was in

head, flummoxed by her no–nonsense summarization of my care.

If you need anything, your call light

Dr. Beaumont takes

my bed, picking it up from behind it

floor. “Here. Nurses are around all

aware. If you have any more questions, let them know, and I or my colleagues. can come chat with you, okay?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest