Chapter 52: JUST IN TIME

[LUCA]

Where is she?

What if we haven't been thorough enough? What if an enemy escaped and came after the princess?

But Elliot said no one pursued her. He made sure.

Regardless, I have to find her quickly.

It was easy to follow the trail she left behind. She wasn't subtle; flattened leaves, broken branches, bent shrubbery — it seemed like she had crashed into everything. 

But the longer I tracked her, the more worried I got. There were detectable signs of blood on some of the leaves she had touched. She was hurt. She was alone and afraid in this unfamiliar forest.  She might have escaped the men who attacked us, but the forest has its own dangers.

I was incompetent. I failed her.

No. You can still save her.

Hang on, Lena.

I began to lose track of her trail as I got deeper into the forest. I had to dismount from Storm several times to lead him safely through the less-maneuverable path as I searched for her.