Jacob's Ladder (String of Fate) Read Online Free PDF

moved toward the doorway and was waiting for them. “Some sustenance will set you right again, my girl. And after that, your friends will likely want a word with you and you’ll find all is well before seeking your bed for the night. Things will be brighter in the morning.” He smiled at his own words as he ushered them out of the wheelhouse and down toward one of the dining areas on the gigantic yacht.
     
    To say the yacht was luxurious would be an understatement. They were led to a dining area that was just one of many on the big ship. This one was open to the night air on the stern, and more casual than Ria had expected. The gentle motion of the ship was soothing as she sat and the first course was served.
    The plates were fine china and the goblets crystal. The silverware wasn’t silver, but what looked like it could be either a very thick gold plate or perhaps even solid gold. If anyone could afford such things, it would be Sam Kinkaid, Texas oil baron and—through a strange quirk of fate and heritage—king of all lion shifters.
    They ate quietly at first. Ria realized only as the steaming hot beef soup was placed in front of her that it had been quite some time since her last meal. Her inner panther appreciated the successive courses, which all had some kind of meat or fish involved in their creation. It was a feast fit for a carnivore, which probably was most of the crew, now that she thought about it.
    Edvard was a selkie—he could turn into a seal and had very magical powers compared to other kinds of shifters. There were probably a few other selkies among the crew, and a bunch of lions as well. The jury was still out on the soldier who had met them at the helipad, though she was leaning toward thinking he was a tiger. If she saw him again on this giant yacht, she would try to find out if her guess was correct.
    Ria began to slow down as the food began to really hit her digestive system. Her body was glad of the sustenance and now that it was sure more was on the way, she was able to slow down a bit. She looked up from her plate and realized the men had been talking quietly around her while she was focused so completely on the delicious food. She wiped her mouth with the snowy white linen napkin and met Edvard’s gaze with a small, slightly self-conscious smile.
    “My apologies, gentlemen. It has been a while since I last ate. Please forgive my poor manners.”
    “Nonsense, lass,” Edvard answered heartily, sending her an understanding smile. “Feed your beast and then the human side can try to reason out our next move.”
    “ Our next move?” She emphasized that first word as she repeated the phrase. “I hadn’t realized you intended to do more than you already have. Believe me, I’m entirely grateful that you were able to offer us a safe haven for the moment, but I don’t want to bring even more danger to your doorstep…or gangplank, as the case may be.” She looked around at the yacht with a bit of humor. Edvard smiled back at her.
    “Danger is my middle name,” the older man scoffed. “Didn’t I tell you that way back when we first met?”
    He had, in fact, said exactly that to her all those years ago. It was a running joke with them and it felt good to be reminded of those early days when her burdens weren’t quite so great.
    “Nevertheless, you need to realize that giving me safe harbor could put you and your crew in real danger. I have been pursued most of my life, but the action lately is worse than it’s ever been.” She didn’t understand what had caused the recent escalation, but there was no denying things had gotten exponentially worse for her since her aborted attempt to move to New York City a while back.
    Her cousin, Cade, had found his mate during that debacle, so that was one good thing to come out of it. But others had been lost. Precious souls. Friends. And Cade had his mate to think of now. He no longer served as one of Ria’s Royal Guard. He was too busy taking care