Page 11 of Beary In Love

A young deer lay curled in the shade, its breathing labored. Serena knelt beside it, running her hands along its flanks. The fur felt normal, with no signs of parasites or skin conditions.

"When did the symptoms first appear?"

"About three weeks ago. First it was just lethargy, then they stopped eating."

She checked the deer's gums - pale but not alarming - and took its temperature. Everything pointed to illness, but nothing specific jumped out at her. Just like the other vets had said.

"Mind if I check the others?"

They moved from enclosure to enclosure. Each animal displayed similar symptoms: lethargy, loss of appetite, and slight fever. It was like watching the same movie with different actors.

"The raccoon there," Logan pointed to a particularly listless creature, "he used to steal my lunch if I wasn't careful. Now he won't even touch fresh fish."

Serena couldn't help but smile. "Sounds like quite the character."

"They all are." His voice softened. "That's why it's killing me not being able to help them."

The genuine concern in his voice tugged at something in her chest. This was a different Logan than she remembered - still intense, but gentler somehow.

She closed her kit with a snap. "Well, medically speaking, I'm as stumped as the others. But..." She adjusted her glasses, a habit when she was thinking. "I might have another approach we could try."

"Your potions?"

"If you're comfortable with that. It's not exactly standard veterinary practice."

Logan's eyes lit up. "At this point, I'd try dancing naked under a full moon if it would help."

"Let's save that for plan B," Serena said, fighting back a grin. "Though I'd pay good money to see it." The words slipped out.

Logan's startled laugh made her cheeks burn, but she couldn't bring herself to regret it.

Serena cleared her throat and quickly dug into her kit, pulling out several small vials.

"I'll need to check their magical signatures first," she said, focusing on the task at hand. She uncorked a crystal vial filled with shimmering blue liquid. "This will show any magical interference."

She administered drops to each animal's tongue, watching as the liquid created a soft glow around them. The deer's aura pulsed a sickly green.

"That's not normal," she muttered, jotting notes. "Their natural magical signatures should be earth-toned."

Logan leaned close to observe, his shoulder brushing hers. The contact sent tingles down her spine. "What does the green mean?"

"Someone's been tampering with their life force." She shifted away slightly, trying to ignore how his woodsy scent made her head spin. "Hand me the brown vial from my kit?"

Their fingers touched as he passed it to her. Serena nearly dropped the vial, her hands suddenly clumsy.

"Careful there," Logan said, steadying her grip. "These little guys need steady hands."

"Right." She took a deep breath and began mixing ingredients in a small bowl. "This should counteract whatever's affecting them."

Working quickly, she combined herbs and magical elements, the mixture turning a warm golden color. As she worked, Logan helped hold the animals still, his gentle touch with them making her heart do strange flips.

"There we go." She administered the potion to each sick animal. "Now we wait."

They didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, the deer lifted its head, eyes brightening. The raccoon Logan had mentioned earlier immediately tried to investigate her kit for snacks.

"Hey, you little thief!" Logan laughed, gently shooing it away. His laugh made her stomach flutter. "Looks like someone's feeling better."

"The potion's working," Serena said, relief flooding through her.

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