Lucia froze. “How did he get trapped in the mountain?”
Through her sobs, Alice spilled it.
They’d spotted a white fox. Jared ignored the rain, chased it alone, and the mountain gave out. He got buried in a landslide.
“This is insane.” Lucia’s eyes narrowed. “This mountain’s notorious for landslides. Wolves come out at night too. Is he trying to get himself killed?”
One of Jared’s friends snapped, “Why are you yelling? Got a better plan? We already talked to staff—the fastest rescue team’s at least six hours out… Lucia, what are you—!”
Gasps rippled through the group.
Lucia had already swung onto a horse like she was born in the saddle.
“I’m going to get him,” she said, voice like ice.
Then she was gone—riding off without a glance back.
“Lucia can RIDE… like that?” someone whispered.
Alice went pale, her fists clenched tight.
***
Lucia knew the terrain like the back of her hand. She found a safe trail and pushed into the mountains without hesitation.
She wasn’t doing this just for show.
First—this land was under her name. If someone died out here, she’d be the one held liable. Walking away clean from Khelmark? Not gonna happen.
Second—she owed Jared her life.
Back when she’d just returned to the Lynch family, she and Alice were kidnapped. The kidnappers made the family choose.
