Fight With Me

Chapter 40

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Hope's POV

The compound felt smaller once everyone arrived.

Hope noticed it in stupid details. The way footsteps echoed too close together. The way voices carried through walls they normally did not. She sat on the couch with Josie pressed into her side, Josie's fingers hooked into her sleeve like she was afraid Hope might vanish if she let go.

Hope let her.

She had not slept. Every time she closed her eyes, her chest tightened like something was pulling her inward. She could feel Josie's heartbeat when she leaned close enough, fast and uneven, and it made her own pulse stutter in response.

They were matching now. That scared her more than anything.

Freya moved through the room with purpose, calm on the surface. Clipboards. Vials. Candles that were not decorative. Keelin followed her, quieter, watching Hope and Josie like they were patients who might bolt.

Rebekah arrived last, jacket still on, eyes sharp as they swept the room.

"Alright," Rebekah said lightly, too lightly. "Why does it feel like someone died."

No one answered.

Hope's jaw tightened. She felt Josie tense instantly, shoulders rising, breath catching. Hope wrapped an arm around her without thinking.

"She's fine," Hope said, sharper than she meant to. "We both are."

Keelin looked at Freya.

Freya did not argue. That was worse.

Josie's POV

Josie hated how many people were looking at her.

She hated how loud her thoughts felt. How everything inside her seemed to echo back at her twice. When Hope shifted even slightly, Josie felt it in her stomach, a sick rolling sensation that made her press closer without meaning to.

If Hope pulled away, Josie thought she might throw up.

Freya knelt in front of them, lowering herself so she was not towering. Josie appreciated that. She still did not let go of Hope.

"We just want to run a few tests," Freya said gently. "Nothing invasive. Mostly magical readings. Pulse. Aura. Blood if you are willing."

Josie's fingers tightened.

"No," she said before Hope could answer.

Freya paused. "Josie."

Josie shook her head, a sharp movement that made the room tilt. She swallowed hard. "No needles. No spells that make us feel weird. Not again."

Hope felt it too. The nausea. The pressure behind her eyes. She could tell because her own stomach lurched in response.

Hope leaned down, murmuring, "Hey. Look at me."

Josie did. Her eyes were glassy, unfocused.

"I'm here," Hope said. "I'm not going anywhere."

That helped. A little.

Keelin cleared her throat. "We can start with observation. Heart rate. Magical output. No separation."

Rebekah snorted. "You say that like separation is even an option."

Freya shot her a look.

"Actually," Freya said carefully, "that is part of the concern."

The word landed wrong. Josie felt it before she understood it. Her chest tightened. Her magic flared hot and sharp under her skin, instinctive and ugly.