Jacob's Ladder (String of Fate)

by Bianca D'Arc

  “I’ve heard of you,” Ria replied, offering her hand. Seth took her hand in his, bowing over it, kissing the back and sniffing delicately. The sniffing was a shifter thing but Jake still didn’t like the expression on Seth’s face when he looked at Ria. The suave bastard.

  When Seth rose he gestured somewhat theatrically to the men behind him. One of the hulking brutes came up on either side of The Jackal. It was pretty obvious that the two men were related, though they seemed to be opposite sides of the same coin.

  One had light hair. The other had dark hair. One had blue eyes. The other had green. One was scarred. The other looked unblemished. But both carried their weapons, and themselves, with authority. And after a moment, Jake realized he had met these two before, a long time ago.

  “Pax and Ari Rojas?” Jake asked, trying to recall the details of his first, and only, encounter with the twin behemoths.

  Identical smiles spread over nearly identical faces. The men were indeed twins, but of the fraternal variety. Still, they shared many characteristics with each other. And they were both jaguar shifters, if Jake remembered correctly.

  Seth stepped back and allowed the brothers to kneel before Ria’s turned chair, making their bows over her hand. They were silent until the formalities had been observed and they were both back on their feet.

  “It’s good to see you again, sir,” Pax said to Jake.

  “Our Clan affiliation is the Arizona Jaguar Clan, though we haven’t been home in a while,” Ari admitted to Ria. “We’re at your service, milady.”

  “I’m glad to have you here,” Ria replied politely, her smile genuine. The Rojas brothers were men of few words usually, and they both seemed quite taken with Ria.

  Jake reached out and took her hand in his, making their relationship a bit clearer to the newcomers. He wasn’t normally a jealous man, but something about mating Ria was causing all sorts of caveman thoughts to race through his mind. She squeezed his hand as if she understood and the Rojas brothers didn’t miss the subtle byplay.

  Jake tried hard to regain some equilibrium. Best to concentrate on the matter at hand. They had a mission to plan. Things had changed. He’d seen things about tonight and knew their original plans would have to be altered. They were running out of time. Things had to start happening now if they were going to have any chance of pulling out a victory.

  Jake stood and moved to the side of the room so he could see everyone. The brothers backed off to give him room to maneuver, for which he was grateful. Every step they took away from Ria calmed his inner caveman a little more.

  “All right. Those of you who are deadlier in your fur, use that to your advantage. Everybody else, we have the Mount Sterling Ridge fox Clan’s incomparable arsenal at our disposal. Take what you can use and use what you take. The toys are on loan only, but the ammo is ours to distribute at will.” Jake paused to try to put some order to his thoughts. “I’ve seen the battle to come and it’s not going to be easy. Fur will fly and it’s possible there could be a threat from the water, which is where our selkie and tiger friends come in. The rest of you… Royal Guards, do what you do best. Surround your queen inside the stone circle and defend her with your lives if necessary. Ben, Seth and the Rojases, I want you outside the circle of stones. In fact, I need a few snipers. Figure out among yourselves who will fill that role best and since Ben seems to know the land better than everyone but the foxes, he can help figure out where to place our nests.”

  “Cats don’t nest,” Bronson murmured loud enough for Jake to hear him.

  “Snipers do,” Jake replied without breaking stride. “We should try to make this look good to draw in our enemy. If we can catch them between the outer defenders and the inner circle, we might be able to end this quickly. So I’m going to ask Ria to pretend to do a new moon ceremony inside the sacred circle. Have some of your people pretend to be asking for guidance, that sort of thing.” The Royal Guards nodded and Jake decided to leave the assignment of roles up to them. “The fox scouts will be on the outermost perimeter and will warn us when the enemy is on their way. They’re going to be our eyes and ears until we’re ready to spring the trap.”

  Nods of agreement met this plan all around the room. Jake was pleased, but didn’t give them any time to pose questions. Time was running out.

  “Ben, do you have an ETA on Moore’s men?” Jake asked.

  Ben didn’t look pleased. “Not for a while yet, last I heard. They’ve gone dark, Jake. They’re in transit. That’s all I know.”

  Jake cursed inwardly. “We’ll just have to hope they show up in time for the party.”

  Chapter Nine

  Ria called a halt to the meeting after they had hashed out everything they could hash out and a quick meal had been consumed. The fox Alpha had sent over some of his people with trays of sandwiches and drinks. It wasn’t grand, but it was fuel their bodies needed to perform at peak efficiency.

  In small groups of three or four, each of them went over to the fox arsenal and came back armed with additional weapons, some large, some small, but all lethal. Ria was persuaded to add to the weapons Edvard had given them before they left the yacht. She knew how to use everything from small arms to bazookas, but she was most comfortable with pistols and blades, so that’s what she kitted herself out with.

  On the way back, she paused before leaving the cave, one hand on Jake’s forearm. She wasn’t sure how to tell him what she wanted, but she figured honesty was probably the best policy.

  “How much time do we have?” she asked, stalling even though she’d decided to come clean.

  “A few hours. Why?” Jake turned to look at her with concern in his eyes. She loved how attentive he was to her. Maybe that would fade with time and familiarity, but right now, it made her feel cherished in a way she hadn’t ever experienced. It felt really good.

  “Um…I’ve been two-legged for quite a while now. I was wondering if I could get in a short run before everything hits the fan. It might help me focus. The cat needs a stretch.” She watched him carefully to see how he would handle this evidence of her animal side. He hadn’t ever seen her cat and she was a little worried at how he would react. “You don’t have to come if you would rather not,” she added quickly, turning away, chickening out rather than face the possibility of his disapproval.

  But Jake grabbed her arm lightly, stopping her retreat. She turned around again, but wouldn’t look at him until he tilted her head up with one gentle finger under her chin. She met his eyes, worried…but she shouldn’t have doubted him. Jake’s gaze was full of understanding…and excitement.

  “Are you kidding me? Sweetheart, I’ve been dying to see what you look like in your fur. I bet you’re gorgeous. Exotic, athletic, soft and yet deadly. Everything I love about you, amplified by four paws. Just try to leave me behind—though come to think of it, you’re probably a hell of a lot faster than I am when you’ve got four feet and the musculature to power them.” He tugged her toward the cave entrance. “Come on. Ben told me about a place and we can do some in-person recon while we’re at it.”

  “You really don’t mind?” His reaction was almost too good to be true. How had she found a mate who was so understanding of her differences and even enthusiastic about her abilities that might be just that much better than his, as a human? The Goddess had surely been smiling on her when She brought them together.

  “Mind?” Jake laughed. “Honey, I know it’s early days for us yet, but please try to have a little faith. There is nothing about you that I could ever mind.” He emphasized the word with a roll of his eyes, then he leaned down and kissed her right in front of everyone and anyone who might be able to see them near the cave entrance. “You’re the other half of my soul, Ria,” he breathed as he let go of their kiss. “Everything about you is perfect.” He moved away and grinned. “Me, on the other hand…well…I don’t pretend to be perfect, but I suppose you’ll get used to my bad habits over time. You could always swat me with your tail when I leave the toilet
seat up or my dirty socks on the floor.”

  “Or if you really screw up, don’t forget I have claws,” she joked, running her fingernails lightly down his arm.

  “Ouch.” He laughed with her and what she had thought would be a problem practically disappeared.

  Though they still had to get through the shift and she would be watching him carefully to see if he truly didn’t mind that she could go furry and he couldn’t. Her biggest fear right now was that he would be disgusted by the process—or the result. It wasn’t the most graceful thing to become another form.

  Jake led her up the mountainside and they both looked around carefully as they went along. He made a few comments about defensible positions and cover that made her think a bit harder about the terrain they were passing. Jake taught as if he already knew what was going to happen tonight—and he probably did. He’d seen the battle ahead and she was pretty certain he hadn’t told them everything he’d seen.

  That worried her, but she figured he had his reasons. She wondered how he decided what to disclose about the future and what to keep quiet. If they were given more time together—if they both survived the battle to come—she would enjoy learning more about his gift and how he had learned to deal with it all.

  She felt the energy of the place change and realized they had arrived at the circle of stones. It was small and hidden from the air by the tops of the trees, which bowed over the circle as if in benediction. The power of the place called to her and she felt the amulet around her neck stir to life. Being inside the circle later tonight would really be something.

  She usually didn’t find herself in places of power during the new moon rituals. The few times she had, the experiences had been memorable. The circle would amplify the effect of the amulet, which probably wasn’t the greatest idea. But by the same token, the circle of stones and their Light energy would protect her and the amulet like no other place.

  “What is it?” Jake must have picked up on her internal conflict.

  “I was just thinking about tonight. This place…” she gestured to the stone circle in front of them. “It’ll be both the safest place for me and the most dangerous.”

  “How so?” His brows drew together in concern.

  “The stones could make the effect of the new moon stronger, but they’ll also protect anything within the circle more than any other place. The Lady’s protections are strong here and She will look after Her servants—or so the priestesses always say. I can only hope they’re right in this case.”

  Jake looked as if he wasn’t sure how to answer. “I did see something…” He trailed off, but she waited for him to go on. “I saw you here, and something very powerful happening. I won’t lie to you—this could still go either way, and I won’t taint your response by telling you anything that might not be helpful in the long run. Do you trust me?”

  She didn’t even have to think about that one. “Of course.”

  “Then trust me on this one. Things might start to look bad at times, but I think I’ve seen enough to know how to make this end in our favor.” He moved closer, tugging her into his arms for a hug.

  “And if it doesn’t work out that way?” she asked in a small voice, not happy to think about losing him—losing everything—but needing to be realistic.

  “And if it doesn’t work out, then at least we’ll have given it our best shot. We won’t have given up or given in. We’ll have stood strong for as long as we possibly could. You’ve been strong for so long, Ria. Don’t give up on me now.” He kissed her again, waiting until she responded to his kiss with more enthusiasm. The man had a way about him that could coax her out of her blackest moods.

  “You’re a charming so-and-so, Jake. I’m glad you came to my rescue and I’m glad you’re my mate. I can’t imagine a more perfect mate for me.” She rested her head over his heart, reveling in the stolen moment out of time.

  “Ditto, sweetheart,” he whispered as he held her for one what was probably minutes, but felt like a wonderful eternity. She wanted forever with this man and would do everything and anything in her power to make that happen.

  At length, he let her go, keeping one arm around her shoulders as he guided her away from the stone circle and toward a destination only he knew. She walked silently with him, seeing the woods through his eyes as he continued to make note of various features of the terrain.

  Jake led her to a magical glade just below the stone circle and off to one side. It was sheltered on all sides by towering trees, but in the middle of the small space made by the trees, there was a blanket of moss that had to be a couple of inches thick. Lush and green, it was springy and inviting under her feet.

  “Will this do for a place to shift to your four-footed form?” Jake asked, watching her reaction to the special place. She nodded, already taking off her coat and kicking off her shoes. “I wanted my memory of the first time I saw you in your fur to be special,” Jake whispered, his voice a low rumble that stirred her senses. He moved closer, reaching for the hem of her sweater, taking it from her grasp. “Allow me.”

  Jake took over the task of undressing her, which slowed the process, but she wasn’t complaining. He stroked his strong hands over her sensitive skin, taking her down to her underwear…and then continuing until she was completely bare.

  “Have I told you how gorgeous you are?” Jake’s rumbling tone made her shiver all over.

  “A girl can never hear that enough, I think,” she replied playfully. “Are you ready for this?” She wanted to give him time to prepare for what was coming.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be. Come on, sweetheart. I promise not to laugh.”

  “Laugh? I’ll give you something to laugh about.” Her inner cat was outraged, but as she shifted form into the cat, she realized maybe that’s what he’d been hoping for. His distraction worked to quell her nerves and she shifted shape in a shimmer of dark light that left the cat behind as the woman receded.

  A low whistle issued from Jake’s lips as he looked at her. She shifted her weight nervously on her front paws, watching for his reaction. But he didn’t make her wait long. He crouched down so their eyes were on the same level and he grinned slowly, invitingly. She moved forward, rubbing her head against his cheek.

  The cat knew its mate, as did the woman, and when his hands came up to stroke over her fur, she reveled in the touch of her lover. His fingers knew just how to stroke her, petting her in ways that made the cat purr.

  “Oh, honey, you are beautiful,” he whispered near her ear, which twitched, wanting to catch every nuance of his tone. The cat read honesty in the subtleties of pitch and timbre only it could discern.

  They stayed there for a long moment, his hands rubbing over her in slow waves of possession that made her chest rumble with delight. She felt his smile against her fur and she rubbed all over him, wanting her scent on his body, his clothing. She even licked his hair, which made him laugh. Then he stood.

  “I believe you said something about a run?” he challenged. “I won’t claim to be able to keep up, but I’ll come along, if you don’t mind and keep watch while you nose around, okay?”

  She liked that plan and nodded her head once before setting off. He jogged through the trees while she bounded to the sides of his path and back again, giving her legs a good, long stretch. She ran ahead, then came back, then paced with him, guiding his steps with subtle shoves against his legs until he figured out where she wanted to go.

  Eventually their steps led them back to the stone circle, which seemed to be calling to her even more strongly now. She followed her instincts, which were driving her to enter the circle, where she hadn’t before.

  She prowled inside the sheltering circle of monolithic granite stones. They glistened in the dim light under the trees with mystery and invitation. The place welcomed her and she made a quick round from stone to stone, enjoying the energy surge as each ancient stone seemed to welcome her presence.

  The stones were tall and rugged, standing like guar
dians around the central cleared space. The trees sheltered the grassy area below, reaching their branches out and over, hiding the circle for the most part, so it couldn’t be seen from the air—unless one knew what to look for. And in the center of the stone circle was a smooth, flat rock that pulsed with magical, blessed energy.

  Ria was drawn to it, allowing her front paw to touch, tentatively. She wasn’t all that surprised to find that the giant, square, table-shaped stone was warm, not cold as it should be. The power of the place hummed through it, thrumming against the pads of her feet as she investigated. She sniffed with her cat nose, but this was more a phenomenon that had to be felt. Her human hands were better for that purpose, so she shifted to two legs to continue her investigation.

  She wasn’t surprised to feel Jake come up behind her. Thick, strong fingers swept around her waist, then one hand slid upward to cup her breast, while the other went downward, to insinuate itself between her thighs. His mouth was at her neck and she was powerless against the surge of desire that swept through her body.

  It felt like her arousal was supercharged by the energy of the altar stone. She felt her body responding to Jake’s slightest touch. She wanted him. Now.

  “You are the sexiest woman alive,” he whispered, his teeth tugging gently at her earlobe. Her cat purred and the sound came through her chest, startling her a bit.

  Only Jake could cause that response. Only Jake—her true mate—could make her purr in human form. The cat liked the way he stroked their skin. And it just plain loved the scent and taste of him. He’d done well, allowing her the freedom to run where the cat willed, but being ready to protect and just be with her even though he couldn’t shapeshift. The cat liked his willingness to accept her altered form and wanted to show its appreciation for the acceptance and love she had felt while in cat form.