Page 68 of Grave Investigations

Raven reappears from the bedroom, “Are we heading out to the farm?”

“I’m game, let me scan this and start a translation site,” Eli pipes up. He pulls out his phone and takes a picture of them and starts to click on his laptop. The fact he can navigate multiple devices with such ease still boggles my mind.

I have a bad feeling about all of this but I push it down. Raven’s smile and eagerness has me ready for anything.

“I need to slip on my shoes,” I tell her, returning a smile.

“Great, I have the list of things we need to gather and then we can go,” she says, holding up a notebook paper.

I grab the backpacks that are near the side of the couch and hand one to Raven. Her hand skims mine and her touch is electric. I want to pull her into me and just hold her tight, maybe convince her to stay with Jayce. There is no way I can bear it if she died on one of these missions. Stella almost took her from me, but once Raven was on a lead there was no talking her out of it.

And how can I take that fire away, even if inadvertently? So, instead, I let her continue on and keep my worries to myself.

For now.

It takes us about twenty minutes to quietly cross everything off the list and not wake Jayce.

I slip on my work boots, grateful for the thoughtful gift from Raven, and grab my jacket from the hooks near the door. I take Raven’s from her hook and help her slip it on.

“Come on, Eli,” Raven says, taking my hand as I use the other one to open the door.

“I’m coming,” he complains, still clicking on the laptop. “I almost have this going and I’ll be ready.”

“Lucien and I will go load the bags in the car. Meet us there?” she asks.

“Yep, babe,” he replies without looking back at us.

With care, I close the door behind Raven.

“I swear, I could be dancing naked and Eli wouldn’t even look up from that damn computer,” she states, frustration in her tone. “That’s a Jayce level of focus.”

“Well, I would enjoy that view,” I comment, which earns me an elbow to the ribs.

“Keep on dreaming, Professor. Do you really have to go back to work soon?” she asks, a pout on her lips.

“Yes, I’m still a new teacher. So, I was grateful that they let me take the time off for our family emergency,” I remind her. Honestly, going to work is healthy for me. I’ve realized how much I truly love teaching and despite loving them equally, this hunting stuff takes its toll on me. I’m alive now, I don't want to constantly dance with the dead.

“Well, with the money from my uncle, we will be set for a while, if you want to retire.” She smirks at me.

“Are you telling me you’ll be, what do the kids these days say? Sugar mama?” I ask.

This gets a laugh from her as we exit the building and get to the car.

“I like the ring of that,” she says confidently.

“As much as I would enjoy that, I miss teaching. I don’t want to be away from you but those jobs don’t open up easily,” I say, frowning a little.

She sighs, “I know, I just hate the thought of all those young girls throwing themselves at you.”

“And boys,” Eli pipes up from behind us.

“Huh?” Raven and I say at the same time.

“He is a hit with the gentlemen, as much as the ladies. Did you say there were a few that bring you an apple a day?” Eli asks, raising a brow.

“Yes, but I thought they were just being nice,” I reply.

“Oh, poor, sweet Lucien, nowadays nothing is what it seems,” Raven says.

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