12. Kalen

CHAPTER 12

KALEN

I pace back and forth in the tavern, my boots thumping against the wooden floor. I turn around, so agitated that my horns nearly snag one of the candle chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I barely notice, too consumed with worry to care about the near-miss. Finn, Koda, his son Whisper, and Nox are gathered around, watching me with a mix of concern and confusion.

"So let me get this straight," Finn says, scratching his furry satyr legs. "You're saying another human just ... appeared? And now she's gone missing?"

I nod, running a hand through my hair. "I know it sounds crazy, but-"

"Crazy?" Nox interrupts, his dark eyes narrowing. "It's downright impossible. One human was bad enough, now you're telling us there's another?"

I feel a flash of anger at his words, but I push it down. Keep it together, Kalen. They're your friends. They're just trying to understand.

"Look," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I know it's hard to believe. But she's real. And she's ... she's important to me. "

Koda places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We believe you, buddy. Right, guys?" He looks pointedly at the others, who nod reluctantly.

"So, uh," Whisper pipes up, his cheeks flushing. "That little sasquatch I saw you with the other day...?"

I can't help but chuckle. "Sorry, kid. That was Olivia in disguise."

Whisper's face falls, and Koda pats his son's back. "Don't worry, son. There's more than one sasquatch in the forest."

"I know, I didn't really like her or anything you know ..."

"No of course not." The others all say some version of this in chorus, wanting to protect the youngster's pride, it seems.

Obviously, he did though. Even as his friends support him, they can't help but exchange little smiles. He is just a kid though, so no one is going to razz him.

Of course, not son, but it's true, there's definitely not a lot of squatch eye-candy in these parts."

"When I find her, I am gonna tell her Koda that you mentioned her and "squatch eye-candy" in the same breath."

"Please don't." Koda delivers the line deadpan. We all have a little laugh at that.

"All right, so look we all know what we need to do. Let's head out and see if we can find her."

As day begins to turn into night, we gather around a map of Fablewood. "We've checked the town well," Finn reports. "No sign of her."

Gods, I guess I should count my blessings.

"And I scouted the Dark Forest," Nox adds. "Nothing there either."

I feel my heart sink. Where could she be? The thought of Olivia alone and scared ... it's almost too much to bear.

Koda clears his throat. "Uh, Kalen? I hate to suggest this, but ... what if she went back? You know, through whatever portal brought her here?"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Back to the human world? Away from me? No, it can't be. But... what if he's right?

"Is that possible?" Finn pipes up?

"We don't even know how she got here in the in the first place. Or Zoe for that matter. So, I think anything is on the table," Nox interjects.

I straighten up, my mind made up. "If that's the case, then I'll go after her."

A chorus of protests erupts around me.

"Are you insane?" Nox exclaims.

"You can't just waltz into the human world!" Finn adds.

"At least wait for Elowen. We don't even know if she did somehow go back." Koda pleads. "She'll be back soon. Or maybe Zoe will know something when she and Thokk return."

I shake my head. "No. I can't wait. I told you I can barely feel her. I don't really fully get it yet. But I know she feels ... far away. What if she's in danger? What if she needs me?" What if she thinks I abandoned her?"

My chest is beginning to ache as I go down the line of possibilities.

"But Kalen," Whisper says, his young face scrunched with worry. "How will you even find her? I hear the human world is gianormous!"

I look at Whisper, his earnest features full of concern, and feel a pang in my chest. The kid's got a point, but ...

"I have to try," I say, my voice firm. "I'll head to the nearest human town. It's a long shot, but I can't just sit here twiddling my thumbs."

Koda steps forward, his furry brow furrowed. "At least wait for Elowen to return. Perhaps she could cast some sort of spell? Or perhaps Thokk's mate Zoe will know something ... "

I shake my head. "No time."

"But what if you are spotted? It's too dangerous Kalen."

"Oh, you're one to talk. Humans see your kind all the time. You guys are sloppy as hell when it comes to hiding. You get a zero for stealth. When was the last time humans reporting a minotaur sighting?"

I wait a beat for dramatic effect.

"Never, that's when. Cause we, unlike our overly furry friends, actually know what we are doing when we go into their world."

"Yeah, yeah," Koda says, smiling. He is used to this joke. It's one of my favorites after all. But truth is, the thought of being apart from her for even one more second is tearing me up inside.

"I'm going," I declare, cutting off any further protest. "First thing tomorrow morning."

As I start making plans, my friends exchange worried glances. I know they think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But for Olivia? I'd walk through fire.