Demian gave a brief nod.
Then without knowing why he turned his head.
The seat beside the campfire was empty.
He frowned, scanning the area. Familiar faces were there. Servants moved back and forth. But one presence was missing.
"Valerie?" he called.
No answer.
Demian stood. His gaze swept the campsite more carefully now, his heartbeat quickening as an unpleasant premonition surfaced sharp and sudden.
"Where is Valerie?" he asked one of the guards.
The guard hesitated. "We assumed she was with another group, Your Grace."
Demian turned to Ivanka. "She was with you earlier, wasn't she?"
Ivanka blinked, looking surprised. "Only for a short while," she said. "I left her on the same path as the others. I thought she had already returned."
Her tone was calm too calm.
Demian didn't like it.
"How long ago?" he asked sharply.
Ivanka offered a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "Quite some time. Perhaps she just—"
"No," Demian cut in.
