NARRATOR

“Quickly, take this boat across the eastern stretch of the river, and you’ll reach the neighboring village. Look for Joaquín at the only inn there. He should be about to leave with his trade caravan. Tell him you come in my name…”

Aldo was giving hurried instructions as they untied the knots securing the boat and prepared to push the small vessel down the ramp and into the water.

Sheltered inside the old boathouse, Katherine watched them nervously, barely managing to slow her frantic breathing after their reckless sprint.

For heaven’s sake, these men didn’t even look like they had just spent half an hour running through the forest like mad dogs, while she felt like she was about to cough up her lungs.

And to think she had supernatural blood—if she didn’t…

“Push.”

With a dull thud and the splash of water, the boat landed at the river’s edge.

All that was left was one final shove to send it down the ramp.

Katherine moved to help them; between the three of them, it would be quic