Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 404

"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.

"I don’t know. I just am." Frustrated, I reach out with my magic again. But there’s just nothing to interact with. Just Ivy, whole and—magically speaking—healthy.

That core of power inside of me almost vibrates in frustration.

"Why do you think it’s an illusion?" Vanessa’s voice interrupts my frustrated dead-end thoughts.

Grimoire doesn’t even glance at the healer as he answers, settling into lecture mode. "Magic leaves traces. It isn’t so easily hidden. When examining a patient, you must first establish baseline readings of their natural energy signature."

My eyes narrow at his tone. He sounds like one of my old teachers. Not one I liked. Condescending and elitist.

Selene rumbles a little. She doesn’t like how he’s addressing Vanessa, either. It’s a valid question from someone with no training in magical theory, after all.

"Start with the physical symptoms." 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, the magic disperses like smoke. A true corruption is much like any disease; it leaves its effects. Magical residue, if you will. There’s none here."

The steady beat under my fingers skips. One-two... pause. Three?

Is this thing listening to him?

"But there is something," Vanessa argues. "She has a fever. And this sleep is not natural."

She seems like she’s in a coma, Selene agrees. Why isn’t she awake with all your poking and prodding and talking?

"You check vitals, then order tests based on symptoms, yes? Even a negative result can rule out causes. There’s nothing there; therefore, the fever might not be—" _{ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom}

He freezes mid-sentence.

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