Tangled

Unshift 247

Unshift 247

247 Ava: Pre-Heating

Vanessa shakes her head. "You might have a fever from overworking yourself, but I doubt it. At this point you're more shifter than human, I think-you shouldn't be getting sick. You don't even need your glasses anymore."

"It's probably fine-"

"Better to check, she interrupts. "I'll get my supplies and check with Magister Orion to see if this is normal after an extended time in that magic room of his."

"You're making a big deal out of nothing. I'm fi-" The room tilts as I take a step, and suddenly the floor rushes up to meet me. Vanessa's quick reflexes save me from an ignoble face-planting.

"You were saying?" Her tone is gentle but firm, her fingers digging into my arms as she sets me straight again.

My nose wrinkles. My sense of smell still isn't as acute as theirs, but I swear I can scent her satisfaction. Maybe it's my imagination. "Okay, maybe I'm a little wobbly."

Vanessa guides me to the bathroom, her arm a constant support. "Take your time. I'll be right outside if you need me."

When I emerge, she tucks me back into bed like I'm a child. The mattress feels too soft and too hard all at once. I want to protest, to tell her I can go downstairs and speak to Magister Orion myself, but exhaustion weighs me down.

I'm definitely not feeling right.

Marcus appears in the doorway, his hulking frame filling the space. He nods at Vanessa. "I've got this. Go talk to the wizard."

As Vanessa leaves, I shift restlessly. One moment I'm burning up, the next I'm shivering. Blanket on, then off. A deep ache settles into my bones, making it impossible to get comfortable. Marcus is here now, in the corner. The tension in his shoulders is obvious. Guess he doesn't like

germs.

I drift in and out of consciousness, fragments of my earlier nightmare flashing through my mind. The murky stream, the bizarre presence.

Odd how I didn't remember it when I woke, because now I'm cold from my hair to my toes at the memory of it. Something insidious lurks there.

My lungs burn, I take shallow breaths, because it's impossible to fill my lungs with air.

I toss and turn. Even my fingertips hurt.

A cough builds in my chest, and I try to avoid letting it out.

When it finally escapes, it feels like my entire torso rips apart, leaving me sore and bruised in my ribs.

Marcus shifts from foot to foot. He's clearly uncomfortable. He's usually a statue when he's on

247 Ava Pro-Heating

"Don't worry." I rasp, trying for a weak smile. "You can't catch whatever this is."

He grunts. "I don't get sick."

I sigh, sinking further into the pillows. "Must be nice."

The silence stretches between us, broken only by my occasional coughs and the rustle of sheets

toss

Lucas. I hope Sister Miriam and Selene get

croak, "have you heard

He shakes his head.

hasn't. He would

of hope is dashed, leaving

body, leaving me curled on my side, gasping

be here any minute, Marcus says, taking a step

someone who professes he can't get sick, he sure

hope she has

the room, her arms full of supplies. Magister Orion follows close

are you feeling, child?" His booming voice seems

arms shake with the effort.

heads?"

he says cheerfully,

rate of rapid healing." "I've never seen a sick Lycan," Magister Orion agrees, scratching at his head. "The training

fusses over me, taking my temperature and checking my vitals, Marcus steps out of the room. I

"I doubt that. He has no reason to fear germs. But she looks at the door with a frown. "I'll

just going to make sure you don't

word," I muse, following her commands

C

247 Ava. Pre-Heating

ends up rolling me around in

is sky

lab to run your bloodwork, but your blood pressure high. You're tachycardic. Clammy to the touch. A little delirious. Ava,

are?"

"Of course."

"Where are we?"

odd. I know where we are,

doesn't feel like home,

know what day

guess. "Maybe Wednesday. I was

words slow and gentle, like she's talking to a

you mean? We went to the beach. You were with me. My

was. Good

delighted at her praise, even as she shoves a thermometer

"Whaff diff fo?"

I already checked with the forehead thermometer, but I just want to see

assent, I wiggle

mouth, squinting at the numbers.

from hell, I

long it is before

a chair next to my bed. It wasn't there

in a whisper, leaning over to

around my mind for a moment,

been thrown to the mat a thousand times. My skin is clammy, and sweat trickles everywhere. I want