Sarah completed our little quartet—her, me, Kelsey, and Tori. We'd collided at the hospital's Christmas festival my first month in Franklin, and somehow the four of us just clicked. Sarah had roots here that ran deep; she'd left for law school only to boomerang right back, hanging her shingle and building a practice that served everyone in Franklin. And I meant everyone.
"Oh, that's good thinking." Kelsey's face lit with understanding. "She's represented some of them, hasn't she?"
"More than some, apparently." I fished out my phone, pulling up the directions Sarah had texted me. GPS wasn't going to cut it for this particular house call. "She gave me directions—said it's about an hour and forty minutes north, past White Oak Flats church, then onto Long Branch Road. There's an old logging road that turns into an access road up the mountain. She said once I'm on the right track, I'll know—the settlement's in a clearing near the ridge."
The light in Kelsey's eyes dimmed, replaced by something more cautious. "Jordan." She said my name like a question. "Are you absolutely sure about this? Driving up a mountain by yourself to find a place most people in this town pretend doesn't exist?" Her voice dropped, though the pharmacy was empty except for us. "You don't actually know these people."
"I know Ruka." His name came out softer than I intended. I could still see him in the ER—those massive hands so impossibly gentle with Ardin, the raw hope in his eyes when he looked at me. "And here's the thing, Kels. When he was around? I wasn't scared. Not even for a second."
"That's not really—"
"Listen." I caught her gaze and held it. "If I find out later that little boy got sicker, or God forbid... because I was too afraid to drive up a mountain? If something happens to him and I'm sitting here with antibiotics that could have saved him?" My throat tightened. "I'll never forgive myself."
She searched my face, and I watched the moment she recognized the futility of arguing. Her shoulders dropped. "You're going regardless of what I say, aren't you?"
"Yeah." The admission felt like relief. "I am."
Kelsey came around from behind the counter and pulled me into a tight hug. She smelled like the gardenia lotion she always used, familiar and comforting. When she pulled back, her hands gripped my shoulders.
"Promise me you'll be careful." Her hazel eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. "Text me when you get there. When you leave. Hell, text me every hour if you have to."
“You know there are no cell towers near the Orc Village,” I reminded her.
“Text me anyway,” she demanded.
"I will—"
"I'm serious, Jordan." Her fingers dug into my shoulders. "Anything feels off—and I meananything—you turn that car around and high-tail it back down that mountain. Deal?"
The fierceness in her voice made me smile despite the knot in my stomach. "Deal."
She held my gaze a moment longer, then released me with a sigh that seemed to carry all her worries. "You're still driving up a mountain alone to find a settlement most humans think is the stuff of nightmares."
"I know." I lifted the pharmacy bag slightly, the weight comforting. "Thank you for this. For everything."
"Go." She made shooing motions with both hands, though her eyes were suspiciously bright. "Before I decide to barricade the door and hold you hostage with expired cough syrup."
I was halfway to the exit when I remembered. My hand dove into my purse, fingers closing around smooth, heavy metal. "Wait—one more thing."
The gold nugget caught the harsh fluorescent light as I placed it in Kelsey's outstretched palm, transforming into liquid sunshine against her skin.
"Holyshit." Her jaw actually dropped. "Is this—where did you—"
"Payment for Ardin's treatment." I kept my voice low, though we were alone. "I couldn't let Nadine get her claws into it. Can you drop it off at First Baptist?"
Kelsey's fingers curled protectively around the nugget, and something fierce and delighted sparked in her expression. "Oh, you beautiful rebel." She grinned. "I'll have it in Reverend Gunter's hands before lunch. With a bow on it."
“Make sure Reverent Gunter sends the thank-you note to Nadine,” I suggested waggling my brows.
“Oh absolutely,” Kelsey chuckled, her grin positively evil.
The tension in my shoulders finally eased. "You're the best."
"I know." She tucked the nugget into her pocket with a pat. "And you be careful."
I was smiling as I pushed through the door, the cheerful bell announcing my exit into the crisp morning air. The Orc village awaited, and despite the trepidation churning in my gut, I knew, without a doubt, it was the right move.
Chapter 3