Page 233 of House Ignis

His auburn hair was a mess, his expression wild, not cocky or amused, but genuinely terrified. His freckles stood out starkly against his pallor.

On my other side, Ember leaned over me, her green eyes wide with panic.

Luna paced behind her in restless, flaming circles, her paws clicking on the stone.

Aether was pressed tight against my ribs, his massive body rigid with tension, fear humming through the bond.

Reality slammed into me. And then, the pain followed.

It hit so suddenly I screamed, the sound tearing raw from my throat. My hands flew to my stomach as a violent cramp ripped through my abdomen, deep and searing, like something inside me was being twisted apart by hot iron.

“What the fuck is going on?” Ezra demanded, his voice cracking as he looked between us.

“Move!” Ember snapped instantly, shoving him back with a strength born of pure adrenaline.

She dropped to her knees beside the bed, grabbing my face between her hands, her thumbs brushing my cheeks.

“Ava. Breathe. You need to breathe for me. Right now.”

I couldn’t.

The pain was an ocean, and I was drowning. It pulsed and clawed through my gut, stealing the air before it could reach my chest. I rolled onto my side, curling into a fetal position as hot, frustrated tears pricked my eyes.

“Little cub, breathe!” Aether’s voice cracked through the bond, sharp with command and laced with a fear I’d never felt from him.

But all I could see was the blood. Asher on his knees. The sword in my hand.

“Fuck,” Ember muttered under her breath, her eyes darting over my shaking form. “She’s having a flare.”

“A flare?” Ezra echoed, looking completely lost.

“Yes. No time to explain.” She shot him a furious, urgent look. “Run her a bath. Hot as she can stand it. Now!”

I blinked up at him through the haze of agony.

His eyes were still wide with a panic he couldn't hide.

“Go!” Ember shrieked.

He didn’t argue. For once in his life, Ezra Valeor didn’t make a joke. He didn't roll his eyes or push back with a smug comment. He just turned and bolted for the bathroom. The sound of water thundering into the tub followed seconds later.

“Bring a damp cloth!” Ember shouted after him. She pushed my sweat-slick hair off my forehead, her touch careful and gentle.

“Shh. It’s okay. You’re okay. Just breathe through the heat, Ava.”

I managed a weak nod, but another wave of agony rolled through me, and my teeth clenched hard enough to ache.

Ezra came rushing back, his face set in grim lines as he handed Ember the cloth. She pressed it against my burning skin, the cool shock of it making me gasp.

Then he disappeared again, his boots heavy on the floor. “The bath’s ready!” he called out.

“Can you walk?” Ember whispered urgently, her hand steadying my arm. Aether nudged my shoulder, his concern blazing through the bond like a forest fire.

I tried to sit up, but the movement made the pain explode. A broken, pathetic sound tore out of me as I shook my head violently, collapsing back into the pillows.

“Okay, okay,” Ember said quickly, her voice tight. “No walking.” She looked toward the door. “Ezra! We need to get her in the bath. Now. Please—take her.”

My vision was starting to tunnel, the edges of the room turning grey and fuzzy. I knew that feeling. I was going to pass out if I didn't get under the water soon.