Nora’s hand quivered as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She shook her head and whispered, “Go home. It’s not safe here.”

“I can’t go. I came here to help.”

Nora stared at Mackenzie for a few heartbeats. Without words, she gestured for Mackenzie to follow. Nora led her through the kitchen, out onto the porch, and down the long steps outside.

She hadn’t gotten the chance to tell Nora about the shooter.

But like Alex said, deputies were searching. The shooter had likely disappeared for the time being. Mackenzie followed her sister down to the small creek that flowed until it met the Grayback River and the waterfall. Enough daylight remained so that they could see where they were going.

Nora sat on a boulder and Mackenzie joined her, listening to the trickling brook.

“What’s so important that you came all this way to help? What do I need help with?” Nora asked.

To her shame, Mackenzie couldn’t say that it was to simply see her family.

“You could tell me why you keep saying it isn’t safe.”

Nora subtly shook her head. Mackenzie wouldn’t waste another minute and showed her the business card that Julian had given her. She had kept it on her person every moment.

“A Hanstech business card,” Nora said. “Rowan’s card.”

Flipping it over, Mackenzie scanned the QR code with her phone so the video came up. Freda from Knights Alliance spoke again. “You’re vulnerable to deadly attacks. They’re taking the stronghold!”

Nora stared, her eyes wide, then she burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me? This is what you wanted to show me?” She shut her eyes and shook her head.

“It’s a warning! I came here to warn you and to help you. And . . . I get here and Rowan’s dead, and you’re scared, Nora. Telling me to go home because it’s not safe. What’s going on?”

“What does that message mean to you, and where did you get it?” Nora ignored Mackenzie’s question.

“Where I got it isn’t important.”

“Oh, I think I know already. Your ghost. Your apparition.” Nora’s gaze drilled through her as if to search for the truth.

And if Mackenzie wanted to hold her attention, she couldn’t play games. She didn’t want to give him up, but her sister needed to understand the warning was serious. Although she had a feeling Nora already knew.

Mackenzie nodded. “Julian.”

“What are you thinking, working with him again? You can’t—”

“I’m not. He bumped into me and stuck it in my pocket. Then he was hit by a car. He’s recovering in the hospital.”

“I don’t understand what it means. The words are like gibberish to me.”