The moment the liquid hit Ava's tongue, she knew.
This wasn't normal.
The taste was bitter—sharp, metallic, laced with something that shouldn't exist. It burned as it went down, like swallowing pure energy.
Then—heat.
Ava's veins ignited, her body going rigid as the compound spread through her system too fast, too violently.
[FOREIGN SUBSTANCE DETECTED]
[SYSTEM ADAPTATION IN PROGRESS…]
[BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE: UNSTABLE]
Ava swayed, her vision swimming.
Lucas was watching her. Smirking. Waiting.
"Breathe, Beauty." His voice was silk, low and knowing.
Ava gritted her teeth. "Shut. Up."
Lucas chuckled. "That's the spirit."