Chapter 63

She hugged Sasha closer, and the girl, very obedient, heeded my order and rested her cheek on the fur trim of the sheriff’s wife’s coat. Kaylee’s gloved hand held the baby’s head in an almost loving gesture, although Sasha never took her big blue eyes off me. She looked like she was about to cry, but she was a brave little princess and stuck it out.

“Aren’t you going to stop me?” I asked, stunned.

“Would it be of any use?” Kaylee blurted out, shaking her head. “What’s on your mind, Johanna?”

“I have seen footprints. I think they are Ivan and Rex, one of his companions. And there is a third pair of feet, I think it may be the lion. Kaylee, I think the lion has Mirko and is going to lead Ivan into a trap. I can’t just walk away and leave—”

She didn’t let me continue. She nodded and put a hand on my arm.

“Okay, okay. I understand,” she said again, and sighed before continuing. “I know what you mean. I am a mother, and I am a hunter by nature. I understand