Shadows of Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page A

seemed to wrap around her like a comforting, protective shield. She felt his body shudder with relief. Then, he swore and released her, rolling off her while he covered his eyes with his arm. "Sorry. Instinct."
    "It's okay," she scrambled back to a sitting position. "I was just trying to give you something to cover your eyes."
    "Go!" Rohan shouted. "They're close."
    Levi swore, grabbed the coat from her hand with unerring aim, then tried to tie it around his head. He fumbled and one of the sleeves fell from his fingers. She realized his fingers wouldn't bend, probably frozen after so long in the chains. "Let me." She sent him reassurance with her mind, and he dropped his hands at the same moment she reached for the sleeves of the coat.
    He went utterly still, letting her tie it around his head. His hair brushed against her fingers. It was long and ragged, but incredibly soft. The dark strands drifted across the pads of her fingers, a temptation that seemed to call to something deep inside her. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she quickly tied the sleeves and pulled away. "All set."
    The moment the blindfold was secure, he was on his feet, his hand tucked under her elbow to drag her to her feet. "This way." Even though he clearly couldn't see anything, he didn't hesitate as he pushed her toward one of the tunnels. "Fast."
    She started to run, then heard him stumble. She whirled around and saw him swaying to the side, as if he were struggling with his balance. "Hang on," she said, as she raced back over to him. She slung his arm over her shoulder, and ran with him to the tunnel opening. He didn't resist, leaning on her as they went.
    They sprinted through the opening. Then, suddenly, the ground gave way beneath her feet. She had no time to scream before they were free falling into a pit of pure darkness.
* * *
    Once they were airborne, it was simple for Levi to regain his balance. He'd been living in the air for a century, and it was the world he was accustomed to now. Free-falling was a hell of a lot easier than standing on the ground. He felt in control, and confidence surged through him. As they plummeted downward, he pulled Maya against him, locking her against his body. "Hold onto me," he instructed.
    She immediately wound her arms around his neck, and he helped her lock her legs around his hips. Heat from her body poured into his, giving him strength and energy he hadn't felt in decades. The intimate position sent raw lust straight to his loins, and for a second, he could think of nothing but the feel of her body against his. It had been so fucking long since he'd had physical contact with another human being, and having Maya wrapped around him was incredible. Beyond incredible. It felt like she'd shaken his world to the core, and all he wanted to do was slide his hands down her hips and over her butt, drawing her even closer into him until there was no space between their bodies, until there was nothing left to do but drown in the sensation of her kiss and her touch—
    "Um, Levi?" Her voice was edged with fear, but it was steady and calm. "What are we going to land on?"
    Her question jerked him back to the present, and he swore at himself, unsettled by the fact that he'd lost his focus in such a critical situation. "Hopefully water."
    Her arms tightened around him. "Hopefully?" The edge to her voice increased. "What's the other option?"
    "That we'll be crushed against a wall of ice, but I think we'll be good." He locked one arm around her waist, using his arm strength to hold her there, since his hand still wasn't functioning that well. Even as he thought it, however, his fingers began to ache. He tried to bend them, and he got a tiny bit of movement. Healing already.
    Oh, God. You're impossible.
    He grinned as he held out his free arm, and felt the brand burning in his flesh, as it had so many times in the last century. This time, however, he could call it out. Intense rightness surged through him, and he smiled as he