CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR - Whispers Through Ancient Trees

"It's hers," he whispered, his face draining of color. "She was hurt worse than I thought." "She could have crossed the river," one of the other searchers suggested hesitantly. "To mask her scent?" "In this condition?" Lucas gestured to the blood. "The current would have carried her downstream." His eyes scanned the rushing water with growing panic. Without warning, he began stripping off his jacket. "Lucas, what are you doing?" Vulcan grabbed his arm. "I have to search downstream," Lucas replied, shaking off his friend's grip. "If she fell in—" "Then we'll all search," Vulcan interrupted firmly. "But not by jumping into freezing water. We'll follow the bank in pairs, both sides of the river." Lucas hesitated, clearly fighting his instinct to dive in immediately. "She wouldn't want you to drown trying to find her," Vulcan added gently. After a tense moment, Lucas nodded, his shoulders sagging slightly. "You're right. We split up. Mark anything you find, no matter how small."