Hunt for Jade Dragon Read Online Free PDF

steak you’ve ever had. It’s dry-aged from range-fed beef raised right here on our ranch.”
    â€œI’m so happy,” Ostin said.
    â€œGood, because tonight is in your honor,” Joel said. “Have a good time.”
    I took Taylor’s hand. “That’s an order ,” I whispered.
    â€œYes, it is,” Joel said. I blushed, embarrassed that he’d heard me. He looked at Taylor. “I’m certain that Ms. Ridley will have an especially good time. In fact, I think I can guarantee it.”
    He doesn’t know what he’s guaranteed , I thought.
    We stopped outside another set of double doors and Joel waited until everyone had caught up. “Are you ready?”
    â€œLet’s do this,” Ian said, already knowing what was behind the doors.
    Joel opened the doors, exposing a large dining hall filled with people. At the sight of us everyone burst into applause.
    My mother was standing near the doorway, waiting to greet us, a broad smile on her face. “This is for you, my heroes.”
    We walked into the festivities. The room was decorated with crepe paper and balloons and a large sign that said WELCOME HEROES .
    We were swarmed by people who wanted to shake our hands. After just a few minutes my mother pulled Taylor and me aside. “Taylor, are you okay?” she asked.
    â€œYes. This is really great.”
    My mother just looked at her. “You can tell me the truth.”
    Taylor half smiled. “I thought I was the mind reader.”
    â€œI’m a mother,” she said. “I have intuition.”
    Taylor looked down. “I miss my family.”
    My mother nodded knowingly. “Of course you do. But not for much longer.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDidn’t Joel tell you? They’re working on bringing your parents here.”
    Taylor threw her arms around my mother. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
    My mother laughed. “It’s the least they could do, right?”
    Taylor’s reaction filled me with both relief and joy.
    A minute later Ostin walked over to us, dragging his parents with him. They all looked as happy as almonds in chocolate.
    â€œMichael, honey,” Mrs. Liss said. “It’s so very good to see you.”
    â€œIt’s good to see you too,” I said. It was. As eccentric as Ostin’s mother was, I really liked her. She had always been good to me.
    Ostin grinned mischievously. “I told them how we went back home and there were Elgen guards inside our apartment.”
    â€œYou boys have had some excitement,” Mrs. Liss said, not looking very happy about the fact.
    â€œI’m watching out for him,” I said.
    â€œWe know, Michael,” Mr. Liss said. “Don’t think we don’t appreciate it.”
    Ostin squinted. “Who’s watching over whom?”
    â€œYou’re not watching over his diet,” Mrs. Liss said. “He’s not eating enough. I hardly recognized him. He’s wasting away.”
    â€œRuth,” Mr. Liss said. “He’s becoming a man.”
    McKenna sidled up to Ostin. “Are these your parents?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Ostin said, realizing he’d abandoned her. “This is McKenna. She’s my . . .” He hesitated.
    â€œI’m his girlfriend,” McKenna said.
    Ostin’s father looked both surprised and happy with the announcement. Mrs. Liss looked stunned. There was an awkwardsilence. “You’re very pretty,” Mrs. Liss finally said, making it sound like a bad thing. “Are you Japanese?”
    Ostin groaned with embarrassment. “She’s American, Mom.”
    â€œI’m Chinese-American,” McKenna said.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to meet you,” Mr. Liss said, shaking McKenna’s hand.
    Mrs. Liss said nothing, eyeing McKenna the way a boxer eyes an opponent before a match.
    McKenna seemed unfazed. “It’s a pleasure