Page 21 of Radiant Shadows

Arya

I slammed my palm onto the bleeping alarm, groaning as I tried to curl up under my covers. I felt like a truck had run over me while I slept. My head pounded, my stomach rolled, and my teeth chattered as I kicked off the blankets. I groaned as the air cooled me again, but my sore body protested even the thought of moving to get the blanket again.

After a few minutes, the chill became unbearable. I needed to see Ms. Heather. There had to besomethinga harpy could do to fix this, and I didn’t feel up to trying to figure it out myself.

Wrapped in my blanket, I slid into my slippers and shuffled from the room, keeping my half-closed eyes on the floor in the hopes I wouldn’t face-plant onto it.

“Arya, what’s wrong?”

I winced as I looked up, the room starting to tilt. Ashlyn’s hand was on my elbow a second later, keeping me vertical.

“Are you okay?” she asked, looping an arm around my waist.

“I—I th–think I’m s–sick,” I stuttered through my chattering teeth.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged. “M–Miss Heather?”

Ashlyn nodded. “Yeah, we should get you there right away. I’ll help you.”

I was grateful for the assistance as we made our way down the stairs and through the Grand Hall, and then left toward the infirmary. What should’ve only been a couple of minutes seemed to drag out for an eternity. The halls were thankfully empty, as most students were either getting ready for the school day or were in the dining hall having breakfast.

Ms. Heather’s forehead crinkled as she saw Ashlyn escorting me in, and she took off her glasses as she rushed to my side to help me into a bed. “What seems to be the problem?”

I sat down and hugged the blanket around myself, letting my head fall into my hands as I leaned forward and groaned.

“I can tell you she’s burning up, and I’m a phoenix,” Ashlyn said, folding her arms as she cast a worried glance my way.

“Hmmm,” Ms. Heather said, placing a cool hand on my forehead. Despite the chill in my bones, the coolness of her palm felt oddly comforting. “Have you ingested any mercury or lead?”

I feebly shook my head. “N–not that I kn–know of.”

“And what other symptoms are you experiencing?”

“Aches, ch–chill, n–nausea.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Ashlyn asked, chewing on her bottom lip.

“I’m not sure. It sounds like a bad flu, but that shouldn’t be possible.” She turned back to me, placing a hand on my knee. “Arya, I’m going to draw some blood and do some tests.”

I nodded. “N–not possible? To get a c–cold? What, are shifters im–immune or s–something?”

“No, but harpies are.” Ms. Heather’s answer surprised me.

Ashlyn looked surprised, too. “How long will the test take?” she asked, shifting her weight to her other hip.

“Not very long,” Ms. Heather said, grabbing my ankles and gently swinging my legs onto the bed, forcing me to lie down.

She pulled the blanket up to my chin and smoothed the matted hair from my sweaty face. The soft motion reminded me of Mom, and I would’ve cried if I wasn’t already feeling so miserable.

“Why don’t you rest while I get everything taken care of?” Ms. Heather said.

I nodded and closed my eyes.

“Is she going to be okay?” Ashlyn whispered.

I idly wondered why she wouldn’t at least voice her concerns a little further away so I wouldn’t be able to hear them, but when I cracked one eye open, Ashlyn and Ms. Heather were on the other side of the room. I was too tired and achy to care how I could hear them so clearly. I let my eyelid drop closed again.

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