Shadows of Darkness Read Online Free PDF

summoned his weapon. There was a crack and a flash of black light that bled all the way through his blindfold, and then he felt the steel of his ancient battle axe in his hand. Jesus. It had been so long since he'd held it, he felt his entire body hum in response as he once again claimed his heritage. Despite their stiffness, his fingers closed instinctively around the handle, merging with the weapon that was a part of him.
    He immediately hurled it straight downward at the solid wall of ice they were speeding toward. The axe hit the ice cleanly, shattering a large section a split second before they crashed through the bobbing ice fragments into the frigid water below. So, water, then.
    The ice water sucked the breath out of him. Maya's body constricted in shock, and he heard her gasp of pain in his mind.
    It's okay, Maya. It's just for a few seconds. Take my heat. He pulled Maya closer, sending his own body heat into her as he kicked them to the surface. Their heads burst free as the river hurtled them away from his living grave. He called his weapon back, and it returned to the brand on his forearm as they were tossed ruthlessly along.
    You're insane. You're not going to keep me alive. You're going to kill me. Maya gripped him more securely and coughed.
    I would never kill you. Ever. He couldn't keep the fury out of his voice. He never used to care what people thought of him, but hearing Maya say it made him want to defend himself. He didn't even know her. He knew that. But it still mattered what she thought. He hoisted her higher against his chest, holding her head far enough above the water so that she didn't get splashed. I'm not dangerous to you, I swear it.
    I didn't mean it like that . Maya's voice was gentle in his mind, as if she'd understood what he'd been thinking. I wouldn't have gone with you if I didn't trust you. I was just commenting on the fact that plummeting into a frigid river beneath a wall of ice isn't the usual way to save someone.
    Okay, then. Relief rushed through him, and he couldn't stop the dumbass grin on his face. She trusted him. He liked that. Hold on. It's going to get rough.
    Of course it will. I definitely felt like this was too easy. Her dry sense of humor made his grin widen, even as she tightened her grip on him.
    Holding her tightly, he reached out with his psychic energy, assessing the landscape ahead, just as he'd done so many times fromhis prison. The river was turning, diverted by the pulsing geyser up ahead. He was just about to redirect them toward the geyser, when a thought struck him. How mortal are you? The geyser could incinerate her if she were mortal.
    I'm about a nine on a scale of twelve. Why? Because that's not really the kind of question that's reassuring, you know.
    Nine on a scale of twelve? Who has that kind of scale? He swore under his breath, quickly searching ahead for an alternate exit, but the river was heading deeper beneath ground. He could feel Maya trembling against him, and he knew they had to get out of the cold water soon. She'd be dead if they didn't. Maya. If we take the exit, it could be a little tricky. I can heal you when we get out, but you have to trust me. The only way he could heal her was if she was his sheva, and he was certain she was, certain enough to make this choice.
    Her fingers dug into his shoulders. Is there any other way?
    No. He couldn't keep the fierceness out of his voice. I can protect you, but you're going to have to trust me. I mean, really trust me. You need to let me connect with you all the way.
    Oh, man. Personal intimacy stresses me out, but okay.
    He grinned at her comment. Trust me, I struggle with it a lot more than you do. We can fight the intimacy together, while we're hurtling toward each other on a psychic level. Sound good?
    She laughed, a light sound that seemed to lift layers of darkness from his mind. Perfect. Okay, give me a sec. He felt her summon sudden, intense strength. From deep within her came a source of