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."