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.

relax a little

bloody cookie grandma scent, her fingers surprisingly deft as they

touch is unfamiliar to

herself than to me. “But that’s

should go up with some medication changes,” she says, before launching into a casual story about how her daughter had spent a

toddler?-who’d been ill from

13

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Ava: Doctor’s

tummy bug, horrifying all the shifter parents at daycare. Turns out, she’d eaten something she shouldn’t, and there

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

Vivid memories of the fight with Todd flash through my mind, and I

a gentle anchor pulling me back to the

my gaze on her face as she carefully peels back the

professionalism, betraying none of the revulsion I would expect at the

Ava: Doctor’s Care

just shy of touching them. “They cleaned it up well. We’ll need to keep them clean and change the dressings regularly, but you’re on the mend. I know it

in silence for a

back, giving me an appraising look

with sympathy. “But you’re a fighter, I

my mouth to respond, but she holds up a

her head. “Just rest and heal, Miss Grey. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. I’m going to reduce the frequency of your pain medication, and now that you’re awake I’ll

Doctor’s Care

them through the IV.”

she pauses as though she’s waiting for

morning and evening, just to make sure everything’s going well. Our healer, Vanessa, seems quite taken with you, so she’ll be checking on you daily. Most of our healers are on par with doctors, but without the required licensing of the government. I’m not sure how it was in your old

her no–nonsense

need anything, your

takes a moment to

it up from behind it

the floor. “Here. Nurses

questions, let them know, and I or my colleagues. can come chat with you, okay?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website