Shadow of the Day (Wolf Moon Sequel)

Chapter 59: Comforting

Ivy POV

"Vampire," I echoed. I knew the word, heard it used in movies and shows, had seen Wyatt confess to being such a thing himself, and yet somehow this was so much more anticlimactic than everything else she'd told me already.

"Half vampire," she corrected hastily, "It's not much different than you were before, but it's why you're sick right now, so there's just certain things to be aware of."

"Half vampire."

"Yes."

Tired as I was, I collapsed onto my pillows with a laugh. "Sure. Why not? That's like the least insane thing you've said today."

She looked even more concerned than before, but honestly how did one react to that kind of news? With a big excited 'WAHOO!' Or a more disappointed and horrified 'oh no'? I was really at my wits end for reactions to bizarre news. At this point, I wasn't sure there was anything left to be said that could possibly shock me and I was so exhausted, every part of me sore, that I really didn't have the capacity to care anymore about any of it.

"I'm not kidding, Ivy," she said, tentatively.

"Believe me, I know." What kind of prank would that even be? "Honestly it tracks. If anything, there should be something more insane happening to keep on theme with everything else."

"So...you believe me? And you're okay with it?" She asked, wrapping her arms around herself. "You're not going to be drinking blood or anything just yet--"

"Wyatt doesn't even drink human blood according to him, so got that memo before and I'm not that worried, but thanks."

She stared at me. Much like how I imagine I used to stare at her after finding out she could shapeshift.

"Look, it's weird and ridiculous, but it's hard not to believe it when you had such effective proof when you literally Hulked out in front of me," I said, cuddling up under my blankets when a shiver wracked me. 

"How are you not worried?" 

"I'm sure I will be, but right now I am not." Maybe that was an even more insane reaction than anything else I could have said or done, but my brain was feeling particularly full and my body especially broken, and I really didn't know what else to say or do. 

She kept on staring with her bloodshot eyes, all shifty and tense, like she was the one who had just received earth shattering news but honestly, like...what else could possibly rattle me at this point? Demons, possessions, murder, my biological father returning only to not really be him at all--it was a pretty hard bar to clear.

The front door opened and Lila leapt to her feet, turned to my bedroom door like she was expecting an attacking army or something. 

"I'm home," Dad called, jogging up the steps. He appeared in my doorway a moment later, still with his coat on, taken aback when he saw me upright and awake. "You're up! How you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Better," I admitted. At least for the first time in weeks I felt more me, and after the last few days I was at least awake enough to know what was going on instead of being dragged down into such misery I couldn't make sense of anything. 

"That's great," he said, coming in to press his hand to my forehead. His hand was cool from outside, gentle as he checked my temperature. "Seems like the worst might be over."

Maybe for this sickness, but judging by everything Lila had told me, that was the furthest thing from the truth. 

"I've got to bring the groceries in, but once that's done I'll make you a nice big pot of soup, some meatloaf, and mashed potatoes for dinner, alright?" he said, smoothing my hair back and I wondered how I'd been so stupid to leave Dad and Lila. Joe's house had never seemed as cold and uncaring as it did right now, while I had constant company and care. The few times I'd been awake these last few days there had always been someone here sitting with me, making sure I ate or drank, or just being there to make sure I was alright.