knew most of the main ones and a few of the alternate routes. Despite the headlamp from his bike lighting the way down the unlit street, he couldn’t get his bearings. This area was unfamiliar to him, and when he reached Walnut Grove, he slowed his bike and looked around. The weeds were high, to be sure. If Raven had wandered out of range, it would be time consuming to search the wide stretch of land. What he needed was a tracker.
He called Wyatt. “Get your arse over here immediately. Bring anyone who’s sober enough to search, but I want Claude. I need his nose.”
“I think his nose is in a wineglass.” Wyatt simultaneously hiccupped and burped. “Fine, fine. We’re on our way, just as soon as I locate a designated driver.”
Christian tried not to crush the phone in his grip. “I’m not playing around. Raven might be in danger.”
“Wyatt Blessing to the rescue.”
“Jaysus wept.”
Chapter 36
Rustic Pines was so rural that traffic was nonexistent. Nary a car in sight for the length of time that Christian had waded through the tall grass. His worst fear? Finding Raven’s body. Maybe that was the reason he didn’t hear a heartbeat other than his own and a few wild animals. He violently knocked the weeds aside, imagining what he might do if he stumbled upon those boots still on her feet. He’d seen firsthand how immortal love never lasted. When one of them died, it left the survivor bereft of feeling. Their lives often went in a downward spiral. Christian refused to let that happen to him. He would channel that rage into a destructive force that would lay waste to everyone responsible for her death.
A horn blared from the road.
Gem poked her head out of the window of the driver’s side of the Keystone van. “Taxi! Someone said you needed a ride. What are we doing in the middle of nowhere?”
Christian rested his arms on the window and peered at Wyatt, who had his laptop open from the passenger seat. “Who’s in the back?”
Claude stuck his head between the seats. “Did you find Raven?”
Christian shook his head. “I don’t hear anything.”
Gem’s eyes widened. “Raven’s missing? Why doesn’t anyone ever tell me anything? You could have said something, Spooky!”
“You’re driving, buttercup. I couldn’t have you under the influence of panic.”
“I’m getting out.” Claude disappeared and jumped from the back of the van. He staggered before falling completely on his face.
“I’m out here with the Three Stooges,” Christian murmured.
Claude bent his knees and reached out his hand. “I’m the soberest. Everyone else had to stay home. Blue passed out, and Niko said everyone’s energy was mixing into one fantastic light show.”
Christian jerked Claude to his feet. “And Shepherd?”
Claude snorted. “Do you want a drunken Shepherd on a search and rescue? He would shoot up this town.” Claude stretched out his long arms and scanned the area. “Now, what do you want me to do?”
“The tracking device is out here. Find it.”
“I still think she tossed out her shoes, and we’re out here for nothing,” Wyatt said.
Claude reached inside the back of the van and pulled out one of Raven’s old shirts. After a deep breath, he threw it back. “It helps when my senses are impaired.”
“You’re langered. How much did you have to drink? Because I don’t think you can walk a straight line, let alone track anyone’s scent.”
Claude narrowed his golden eyes and poked Christian’s nose. “Challenge accepted.” He ran at Chitah speed into the grass, but he also stumbled and fell.
Christian had seen the team drunk, but they were so inebriated it was a wonder they were still conscious. He strode back to the front of the van.
Gem reached out and picked grass off Christian’s forehead. “I’m sure she’ll turn up soon. I bet she’s already back at the mansion. Did you have anyone check the roof? It’s possible she got home hours ago and fell asleep up there. You know how she gets.”
“Aye, I checked. She never made it home.”
Worry filled her eyes, but Gem was searching for an explanation. “Maybe she had the same idea as you fellas and drank too much before attempting to walk home.”
Christian gestured to Wyatt. “What’s on that computer of yours?”
Wyatt opened up a plastic wrapper and admired a chocolate cake with white filling. “The blinking light.”
Christian gave him an icy stare.
After chomping into his pastry, Wyatt set it down on the dash and put on his loose beanie. “Look, I’m three sheets to the