Me and My Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page A

be responsible for so many problems plaguing us. “Perhaps Gabriel tolerates such, but I will not.”
    A mist passed in front of me, resolving itself into the form of an angry man. He paused just long enough to shoot me a look that promised retribution later before he took up a protective stance before me. “Threatening my mate again, Baltic? You didn’t succeed in taking her from me last time; I don’t know why you believe you will fare any better now.”
    There was a moment of startled silence before the mysterious dragon answered, “Your shaman mother must be indebting herself greatly to manage repeatedly buying you an entrance into the beyond, Gabriel.” Neither one of us corrected Baltic’s false impression that Gabriel was present in a physical form. “Nonetheless, the time will come when you cannot cling to her for help.”
    Beside me, Gabriel stiffened at the insult, but said only, “Your bait is insufficient. Did you have something more, or was that your sole offering?”
    Baltic’s laugh echoed down the shadow world’s empty street. I was more than a little interested to note that he sounded no closer. Obviously, he had thought twice about tangling with Gabriel and me together. “You have almost as sharp a tongue as your mate. It is regretful that both will be silenced when I retrieve my shard.”
    Gabriel made a low, growling noise that warned he was about to lose his temper.
    â€œ Your shard?” I called out, hoping to distract him. “You gave it to Kostya. I think that relinquishes any claim you might have on it.”
    â€œI would not give mud from my boots to that murderous whoreson,” the voice snarled. “That fool thief taker thought he could blackmail me.”
    â€œSavian?” I asked, confused for a moment before I remembered the dead thief taker Gabriel and I had found a few months before. “Or Porter?”
    â€œDo not think that because you found a way around the curse, you will succeed,” Baltic said in a now almost inaudible voice. “For you will not. The days are numbered, wyvern. I intend to have your mate and the shard she bears. Enjoy both while you still possess them.”
    â€œIs he gone?” I asked in a whisper a moment later.
    The shadowy form of Gabriel nodded. “It was not wise to engage him, little bird.”
    â€œI knew you were only a couple of blocks away, and it was obvious he wasn’t close. Besides, I’m tired of guessing. It’s time we got a few answers to the hundred or so questions we have about him. I didn’t get to ask him outright if he was Baltic, though.”
    Gabriel disappeared, and I ducked into what was an alley in the real world, returning to our reality without anyone but him seeing me; I took the hand he offered, hurrying homeward with a thousand questions buzzing through my brain.
    â€œHe didn’t deny either his identity or being the source of the curse, though.”
    I glanced at him as we ran up the front stairs, avoiding the spilled blood. “You don’t think he’s Baltic? Just because he took the form of a white dragon when you came to save me in Abaddon?”
    Gabriel shrugged. “I think it’s clear who he is. But that is less important than what he is. He’s far more powerful than he should be, and that leaves me concerned for your safety, especially now, when you bear the shard. I do not want you to meet him alone.”
    â€œYou’re cute when you go protective and Drake-like on me, but I assure you it’s not necessary. I can hold my own against him.”
    â€œYes,” Gabriel said as he opened the door to one of the spare rooms. “That’s just what I’m afraid of.”
    An hour later, I did my duty as a wyvern’s mate.
    â€œHello, beautiful. I take it I’m not in the underworld?”
    The man before me looked like he’d taken a beating. His face was bruised and