“Too late for her,” he said. “She’s gone.”
I swallowed.
“The monster is too.” Anger brimmed in Anna’s tone.
I jolted. I hadn’t known Anna was here, and belatedly, relief cut through my sorrow and swept through me. What if she’d been caught in the nøkken’s thrall? I hadn’t considered such a thing.
“Are there more?” my best friend asked.
“They’re solitary. One to a body of water,” Caelo replied. “That was sharp shooting. Good work.”
“You made the first shot!?” I met Anna’s upturned eyes, brimming with pride.
“I did,” she said. “I was relieving myself, but something told me to go into the woods armed. When I heard the screams, I came back and saw the horse. It didn’t lookright, and I had to get closer to make the shot, but I managed.”
“You certainly did!” I breathed, in awe of my friend.
“I’m glad you did not get too close, though” Vale said.
“Being a slower walker has some benefits then.”
I snorted a laugh. Anna was always one to look on the bright side.
“Does anyone know if there are others it has already lured?” Vale asked. “Usually, nøkken's victims go silently to their deaths. We’re lucky that Lei survived.”
“We’ll gather everyone,” Caelo said. “Do a headcount.”
“Anna, you do that. We’ll be right behind.” At Vale’s command, Anna left. “Caelo, dispose of the nøkken’s body, and bring Samantha back with you?”
“Of course.”
With that, me still in his arms, Vale strode for the fire where Lei sat. Ronaldo had followed through, covering her and placing her between two horses. Her eyes were already open, and they were locked on me.
“You saved me.” It sounded like it hurt for her to speak. Like her throat was thawing out as much as the rest of her.
“A group effort,” I said, as Vale set me in front of the fire too, removing my cloak, portions of which had dipped into the lake. He took a wool blanket from the horses and wrapped me in it, then took one for himself, pressing his body to mine. We should have been changing into dry clothes first, but the fire felt so good I did not want to move.
Lei sniffled and met my gaze. “We wanted to get another horse for the group, but we didn’t recognize the shapeshifter for evil. I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”
I offered her a small smile. “You did what you thought was best. Remember, things here are not always as they seem.”
“Status on the numbers?” Vale asked as Anna approached. My husband seemed to have snapped into his military persona.
All the blood had left Anna’s face, and I wondered how she’d worked so fast. Peering past her, I had my answer. From the looks of it, Ronaldo had been of the same mind. After setting Lei by the fire, he’d moved quickly and rounded up most of the people. One shouted loudly that their wife was missing, which made my throat tighten.
Anna cleared her throat. “On first count, more are missing. Ronaldo is doing another count now, but people are starting to lose it.”
“How many are still missing?” Vale asked.
“Fifteen,” Anna said, her voice small. “Sixteen, including Samantha.”
Fifteen souls. Maybe more. I looked up at Vale. Many humans sobbed and wailed at the realization that they’d lost more on this night.
“Are you good to be left?” Vale asked.
“Yes,” I breathed.
“Then stay here and warm up. I need to help Anna and Ronaldo.”
