Aria stared at her reflection, watching in awe and horror as the bruises on her neck faded rapidly. The silver-green potion Selena had given her was working far faster than any typical medicine. The discoloration shrank until it vanished entirely, leaving only a faint heat beneath her skin.
But then, without warning, a wave of nausea surged through her body.
"I... Mother… I think I'm going to…"
She covered her mouth with both hands as her face turned pale. Shian, always alert, rushed forward with a small metal bucket, but Selena raised her hand.
"No, Shian. Get me a large containment-grade glass container. One that seals airtight. Immediately."
"Understood, Madam," Shian replied and sprinted down the corridor toward the storage unit.
Moments later, Aria couldn't hold it in anymore. She doubled over and vomited, this time into the newly delivered container Shian placed under her just in time.
What came out was not food, not bile. It was… alive.
