Page 153 of Scavenger's Oath
Zane
That was hard to watch.
I didn’t think she’d assume we were planning on leaving her. But Phoenix wanted Myles to take the lead. So I had to grit my teeth while he fumbled through it.
Myles stares at her with watery eyes, as if she just put his heart back in his chest. His arms still wrapped around her possessively, not letting go—won’t, unless someone pries him off with a crowbar.
Phoenix and I step forward at the same time, close enough to feel the heat rolling off her skin. For once, there’s no tension between the three of us.
Just this fragile, weightless moment.
Ivy stands between us, small and delicate.
But then her face drains. The colour runs out of her like someone pulled a plug. Her grip on Myles slackens. Her lips part. Eyes unfocused. Pupils wide.
“Ivy?” My voice is too loud.
She pushes away from Myles, one hand wrapping around her stomach. She blinks, sways on her feet.
Then her knees buckle. Myles lunges, catching her around her waist. “Whoa, baby, hey…”
She shakes her head, trying to push him off. Her free hand shoots up to cover her mouth before she hunches forward and vomits on the floor.
“What the fuck!” Myles chokes, dropping down beside her, one arm still wrapped around her even as she continues trying to push him away.
Phoenix crouches beside her a heartbeat later, but not touching her. “What is it?” His voice is sharp, edged with fear he can’t hide. Panic dragging him back into his past. “What did she eat? Drink? An allergy?”
“I don’t know!” Myles yells, then looks up at me, wild-eyed. “Zane, do something!”
I’m already moving, sprinting to the kitchen, shoulder bashing into the doorframe. The back of a chair catches on my hip as I pass, spinning on one leg before clattering flat.
Ignoring it, I grab a towel and fill a bowl of water with shaking hands. Water splashes, soaking through my boots as I skid back into the hall, towel clenched in my fist.
My mind races, thoughts so loud.Bad water? Spoiled meat?No. Stop. Focus!
Her body trembles, breaths coming in shallow, stuttering inhales. She throws up again, and this time, she makes this sound… something like a sob caught in her throat. Myles strokes her hair, trying to soothe her.
“Ivy,” I drop to my knees beside her, gently pressing the wet towel to her forehead. “Look at me. Can you talk?”
Her lips are pale, trembling. “I—,” she swallows hard, “I feel sick. Thought I stood up too fast… or that smell.”
“What smell?” Phoenix’s eyes flick between us. He’s scanning the hallway like an enemy’s about to jump out, fists clenched at his sides, shaking. “What has she eaten?”
Ivy’s face is a mosaic of panic and confusion, screaming forme to offer some kind of comfort.
I glance at him, stomach sinking. “Breakfast was late, but nothing spoiled—”
Myles’s voice cuts through, breathing like he’s about to hyperventilate. “She’s cold, Zane. Her skin’s fucking cold. What does that mean?”
“I don’t know!” I snap, then catch myself when she flinches. “Sorry, Ivy. We just… we need to figure out what’s happening.”
I run my fingers along the inside of her wrist, counting her pulse like second nature.Airway clear. Breathing shallow but steady. Circulation weak but present. My instincts still work even when my hands tremble.
Tears stream down her cheeks. “What’s happening to me?” she sobs, voice breaking.
Fuck. We’re scaring her.
“Hey,” I coo, softening my tone. “Slow breaths. You’re okay. We’re right here.”
