Pieces of Three Read Online Free PDF

his hold on her. “In turn, you may hold our hands, lay on us, and we will keep you safe. If this cheap excuse for a ship falls apart, we’ll just dog paddle to shore, there are more than sixty islands in the archipelago.”
    She stared straight ahead. “You may paddle, but I can’t swim.”
    The boat tilted back and crashed down. Her suitcase fell over and tumbled in front of them.
    She took them up on their offer and hid her face in Porter’s chest. “What happened to smooth sailing?”
    “Port.” Julian rubbed her back.
    “She can’t swim.” Porter’s words vibrated through her. “Do we have a deal?”
    Smooth sailing was nowhere in sight. The boat continued its turbulent trek. She nodded. “Yes.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Julian vowed never to tell their little crusader, but he had sailed his entire life and never experienced such a trip. He was sure he found one point where he and Porter would agree.
    Once Alyssa got her trembling under control she opened her magic bag. She pulled out some more papers and administered them each an injection. In addition, they also received a bottle of water and even some snacks. Porter grumbled as he munched on the crackers, but Julian ate them with a smile even if they tasted like bland wood.
    Where the poison produced almost instant results, the antidote took some time, but his mind cleared, his strength increased and slowly the sensation returned, the one that told him he could change. Porter took his time studying Alyssa’s papers and reminded him repeatedly to relax while they were able.
    Julian wished Alyssa would heed Porter’s words, but when not tending to them, she simply sat holding their respective hands and squeezing tighter if the ship’s tossing worsened.
    “Let me fix this.” Alyssa tore off another piece of medical tape and secured his bandage.
    “Thank you.” He didn’t mind her taking it upon herself to personally dress both their wounds, and he found he enjoyed her consistent checking. Yes, he kept picking at the tape when her back was turned to have her fix it again.
    “Is it tight enough?” She pushed down the edge of the tape once more.
    Before he answered, the boat tilted up and came down with a crash, causing the contents on the floor to slide and slam against the wall.
    “Please.” Alyssa put her hand up to her mouth.
    Someone yelled from the deck and they all looked up at the ceiling.
    “Watch this.” He did his best to keep their end of the bargain and worked to distract her. Hell, he needed to distract himself. The three of them together in the tiny space with no ventilation set off every alarm in his body. His animal side longed to jump up and break free, but with the storm and Alyssa he remained trapped.
    She stared straight ahead.
    “Hey, I want to show you something.” He hoped could pull off his next trick. Like earlier, he held his hand out willing the change. His blood rushed, muscles swelled and the build up began. The release of pressure resulted in the transformation, and his arm morphed into his wolf form. He exhaled. Even the minor shift gave him a bit of euphoria.
    “Oh you can shift again.” She sat up and reached for his paw, stopping short.
    “You can touch me.” He craved the touch as much as he craved the change. Alyssa presented him with the perfect combination of scared, smart and stunning. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to stare at her, listen to her talk or pull her in for a hug or something else.
    She licked her lips and ran her fingertips across his fur. A slow smile, the first one he’d seen, crept across her face.
    “What is it?” He shuddered, her light caress giving him the chills and a whole different kind of pressure built.
    “Amazing.” She stroked him again.
    “Do you like it?” He cleared his throat, trying to keep his mind from wandering.
    “What does it feel like?” She kept her hand on his arm and looked up at him.
    He opened his mouth, almost telling her that when she trailed her nails