Sun Broken (The Wild Hunt #11) - Yasmine Galenorn Page 0,68

gone out for an early morning walk and lost her purse. Oh, so many things to try to keep my mind from going to the one place I really didn’t want it to go.

Kipa was pacing, frantic. Raj looked terrified. Angel immediately knelt beside him and gave him a hug, and he leaned into her with a grunt. Kipa made a beeline for me. “Tell me what happened last night. When did she leave your place?”

I braced my hands on his shoulders and backed him over to the sofa. “Dude, sit down. Breathe.”

He paused, staring at me with those deep brown eyes, then slumped on the sofa. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried sick. Raven’s the responsible one. She always calls.”

“I know, I know…” I sat down beside him as Angel and Raj wandered over.

“Ember, I know something’s wrong. I just…do.”

Raj tilted his head up toward Kipa. Then, blindsiding me, the gargoyle said, “Raven not here. Raven okay? Raj scared.”

I blinked. In all the months I had known Raven and Raj, I had no clue he could talk. I glanced over at Angel, who looked as startled as I felt.

But Kipa simply reached out to pat Raj on the head.

“You talked,” I said, staring at Raj.

“You’re the only other people who know that he can talk,” Kipa said. “Raj remains silent until he feels the need. But he and Raven chat it up all the time.”

I let out a soft breath. The gargoyle had taken me by complete surprise. “I’m honored,” I said. “Please trust us to keep your secret.”

Raj stared at me, his eyes solemn and wide. “Raj likes Ember and Angel. Ember and Angel help find Raven? Raj is scared.”

“Of course we’re going to find her. Don’t be scared,” Angel said, not missing a beat. “We’ll make sure that she comes home safe.”

At that moment, the doorbell rang. I motioned for Kipa to stay put while I went to answer the door. It was Herne, and he had Yutani with him. They pushed through into the living room.

Herne glanced at me. “Viktor and Talia are on the way. What happened?”

As we entered the living room, I told them about Raven not making it home, and about her phone being found in UnderLake Park. “I suppose we should search the park. I hate to think that she disappeared where Ulstair vanished. It would be a horrible coincidence. But at least we know that Ulstair’s killer is dead.”

“Could she have simply hurt herself? Raven isn’t exactly the most graceful person,” Herne said.

“I suppose. We have to hope for that,” I said.

Kipa looked up at Herne. “I know how much trouble I’ve caused you in the past. But help me? Help find Raven?”

Herne nodded, sitting on the edge of the loveseat. “Of course. Her car is gone, you say?”

“That’s the odd thing. Her car’s gone, but you can’t drive into the park from here, and she always takes the trailhead when she takes Raj for a walk. It would make no sense for her to leave her car elsewhere.” Kipa frowned, shaking his head. “I don’t understand what’s going on.

“I wonder if it broke down on the way home. Maybe she took a taxi home or maybe she called a LUD? And when she got home she could have gone for a walk in the park. I know that’s stretching it, but we should call the LUD headquarters to find out if they logged a trip here last night.” I turned to Angel. “Can you do that?”

“On it,” Angel said, pulling out her phone and moving over toward the dining area.

LUD — or Let Us Drive — was a rideshare agency. They had practically replaced taxis, although there were a few independent contractors still around.

“Kipa, Yutani, and I will search the park. I wish we had a scent dog.” Herne frowned, glancing at Yutani. “Can you pick up scents in your coyote form?”

Yutani shook his head. “To some degree, but I don’t have as keen of an ability as a dog.” He glanced at Kipa. “Or a wolf.”

“I’ll call my wolves to help us. They can try scenting her out.” Kipa jumped up, looking relieved to have something to do.

“Angel and Ember, stay here and wait for Talia and Viktor.” Herne paused as Angel returned. “What did LUD say?”

“No one with her description, name, or address called for a LUD last night.”

“We need information on her car—her license plate for one thing, and the make and model. Kipa, do you remember?” Herne