Ravena stepped away from the woman but grabbed the attention of a dark-haired man sipping a Coke and watching her every move. He wasn't dressed up either, just in a sweater, turtleneck, and a pair of jeans. But it was the way he looked at her that caused her pause. She inhaled deeply and inhaled his aroma. A gray. And he'd overheard her talk with Carol.His face was solemn, and he eventually laid his glass down and leaned against the bar closer to her. Joe rose from his seat, but one of his buddies grabbed his arm and shook his head. Joe returned to his seat, scowling."Nothing is what it appears to be, miss. Just keep an eye on your step." The man's voice was kind yet enigmatic.Trevor approached him and muttered lowly, "Move along."The man's lips lifted coyly, then he nodded to Ravena, took his drink, and walked over to one of the tables."Who exactly is that?" In quiet tones, Ravena inquired of Sam.He cast a peek at the gray's seat at the table. "McKinley, Chester." He's visiting

Ravena burst up laughing. "It's totally your fault, Lucian."His tongue into her mouth as he kissed her lips, his hands securely wrapped around her waist. "I love it when you call me by my name, Ravena because I remember all the times we made love and you had no idea who I was." He kissed her on the lips and stroked his fingers down her waist to the tops of her thighs. He touched her mound between her skirts, massaged her, and exhaled a heavy breath. "Come home quickly, and I'll join you.""Hmm," she sighed, then grinned and mashed her lips against his, nibbling his lower lip. "Don't make me wait for too long.""I won't," he whispered lustfully as he led her out of the storage.Sam paused pouring a drink and offered a knowing smile to Lucian and Ravena.The first time she'd come here, she'd sat at the table in the corner, an outsider in disguise.Lucian kissed her on the cheek before leaving her behind the counter. "No more serving drinks to the tables." He looked across to the table

"I had such a fleeting notion. But, if he had to make anything up, why not claim it was some random guy? I believe he was up there, saw her, and recognizes her.""Silva was the only woman there."“Maybe. Perhaps not. "How about Ritka or one of her two best friends?"Jake's pupils dilated. “Ah. Yeah. Excellent prospects. Despite the fact that Ritka's eye was inflamed, I doubt she could have seen well enough to shoot. But Hosstene and Angelina are a different story.""Check to see if either of them has an alibi." And interrogate anybody who may have scented the women's perfumes." "Will do."Tom rapped on the door. Lucian stood up from his squat and motioned for him to enter. Trevor came in behind him, holding a bucket of water."Nurse Grey's on her way." Tom made a shaky motion with his head. "Uncle Sheridan is in a rage.""He's been acting like that ever since he had to cut his vacation short." Trevor sprayed Ural's face with cold water.The red remained motionless.Lucian muttered an

"Hello!" said the children.Their voices were muffled by the snow and wind, so it sounded like four of them. But she was certain she was getting close.She turned around as a limb cracked several feet away, but all she saw in the white bleakness were trees burdened with snow, their heavy branches sinking toward the drifts, making them appear like weary old men.The noise may have been caused by a deer. Her wolf instincts were still heightened."Hello!" the youngsters said again, but Ravena remained still. A shudder gripped her, but it wasn't only from the cold.She crept slowly ahead, listening for any additional sounds that may suggest that she was being followed or hunted. Even though the wind howled and the falling snow reduced sight to a few feet, she stared and strained to see or hear anything else."I think she's not coming," one of the girls murmured, scared."Over here!" yelled a youngster.I'll be there. I'll be there. But if she was being followed, Ravena didn't want him to

They stared at Tom, who had a grimace on his face. "I'll notify Lucian." We spotted their truck and it appears that we know where they're going." He took a breather. "The truck is stuck in the ditch and buried in snow about a mile south of Lucian's house." Tom turned to face Lucian. "Ravena is still missing." Okay, OK. We'll notify you if we discover someone." He put his phone in his pocket. "Anthony, Sr. stated that they went sledding and were late returning home." Peter summoned him to assist in the hunt for Ravena, so he's leaving, but his wife will remain at home awaiting word on the boys. Furthermore, the sixteen-year-old twin females who joined our group were among the lads.""Hell," Lucian said. "Go get some flashlights." They may be able to detect them. We'll investigate the abandoned cabin. Call Uncle Sheridan and inform him we've found several missing teenagers. He'll need to report that the girls are with the lads, that they've abandoned the car, and that they're walking so