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 a little

fingers surprisingly deft as

almost maternal touch is unfamiliar to

a little elevated,” she murmurs, -more to herself

her tongue at my blood pressure. “That should go up with some medication changes,” she says, before launching into

ill

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Ava: Doctor’s

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

tension slowly ebbing from my body as

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 block out the

back to the present. “Just focus on

gaze on her face as she carefully peels back the soiled

the revulsion I would

Doctor’s

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 probably looks awful to you, but it looks good.”

works in silence for

fresh dressings to my wounds. When she’s finished, she steps back, giving me an appraising look

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

my mouth to respond, but she

she says with a shake of her head. “Just rest and heal, Miss Grey. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. I’m going to reduce

Ava: Doctor’s

giving them through the IV.”

as though she’s

with doctors, but without the required licensing of the government. I’m not sure

flummoxed by her no–nonsense

If you need anything, your

Dr. Beaumont takes

it up from behind

“Here.

sure you’re aware. If you have any more questions, let them know, and I or my colleagues. can