_Lisa’s POV_
The River of Blood stretched wide before us. It was twisting and churning like it had a mind of its own. Its crimson surface shimmered under the dull gray sky, and the sound of rushing water filled the air like a whispering voice I couldn’t quite understand.
We had to cross it.
But there was no bridge. No stepping stones. No ferry.
Just a single fallen tree. Its bark was dark and slick with moisture and it was spanning the river like a fragile thread.
My stomach twisted into knots.
“That?” I asked, pointing at the tree trunk. “You want us to cross... that?”
Rylan gave me a crooked smile, but I could tell he was tense too. “It’s the only way across for miles. Unless you want to swim through that.”
I glanced down at the red water again. A shiver rippled through me.
“No,
