Finding Amber (Book 5) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 7

Estevan

I’ve never been more aroused in my life, and that’s a heady statement coming from a centuries old, worldly vampire. She’s been alive for two decades and has probably never left her state before now. Her attitude is vile, and her mannerisms? worse, but her effect on me is paralyzing. I want nothing more than to taste her, touch her, experience everything she has to offer. Devlin never drove me this crazy. I was never mindless or desperate to touch her. Her scent has my mouth watering, and her movements seduce me into fascination. When she exposes her plump cheeks encased in pretty pink lace, I shoot from the water with painful need. Just as my hands clasp her bare shoulders, a scream sounds across the lake, breaking her spell on me.
Amber grabs her clothing, rushing to the shore. Toward the mutated rhinoceros. I follow behind her, yelling for her to stop, but the stubborn chit ignores me, running to her death. When I make land, I head straight for the threat, but Amber steps in front of the beast, protecting it. I stand breathless with fear for her. Sure, that the animal will rip through her any second. Instead, it brushes its tusks gently against her arm, sending a deep growl in my direction. I’m astounded. 
So that’s the way of it. It’s staking a claim? Too late! I already have. Letting out a growl of my own, I flare my shoulders, ready to face the raging beast. 
“I never expected you to make it past the flatlands. You’re a bigger pest than she is.”
I turn to the bigger threat.
Mica.
“And you were never supposed to live this long.” Mica says to Amber with a sneer. 
It’s the wrong thing to say. I charge at him with all the fury I’ve had pent up, only to come up against a wall two feet short of him. Bloody hell, that hurts. 
“RUN!” I yell to Amber. She listens, taking off in the right direction, and the bloody beast follows her. Mica laughs, drawing my attention back to him.
“There’s no stopping me, old timer. When I was resurrected, the devil gave me power you can’t even begin to comprehend… I’ve been reborn!”
Into a jackass maybe. I’ve got hundreds of years on him, and for a vampire, years equal strength. Whatever hoodoo he thinks he has is fictional. Lucifer isn’t on his side.
“This stops now, Mica! I can send you back whole or in ashes. That’s the only choice you get.”
His laughter grates on my nerves. 
“This is my land, fool! Do you really think you stand a chance?”
I’ve already tired of his theatrics, and I’m itching to throw fists.
“Why don’t you grow a set and stop hiding behind an invisible wall wailing out empty threats.” I taunt. He’s not laughing now. Excitement fuels my adrenaline. Mica moves fast, coming at me. I ready for him preparing my own attack. The moment we trade blows, I know something’s off. It feels like I was hit with a sledgehammer. There’s no way he’s that strong. Mica bounds back like I never hit him, sending me a blow that dislocates my jaw. 
We’ve fought before long ago, and I’ve only gotten stronger since. He should have stayed the same. Something is afoot. I stick to the hope it’s the land, and the whole thing about Lucifer is a lie. Regardless, I know I can’t win this fight today. I prepare to do something I’ve never done before. Faking left, I swing right and knock him down a cliff. Taking off at a full run, I follow Amber’s trail.
Shame is already eating away at me, but the fact I’ll live another day is suddenly important to me. Not so long ago, I didn’t care either way. Possibly even carried a death wish. Now I’d do just about anything to stick around.  Only one thing has changed… her.
The path pulls away from the ledge and judging by the prints. The animal seems to be leading her at breakneck speed. There’s no sign of Mica, and I’m close to closing in on Amber. Her scent is getting stronger.
I’m moving as fast as I can. My surroundings blur. The moment I enter the clearing, I stop. The beast jumps into the dead zone, disappearing into the void. Before the realization of her intention hits me, Amber bounds up. I scream her name, running for her, but it’s too late. The course is set. I watch as the one thing that gave me hope slips out of my grasp forever. 
I don’t stop. I keep running; following her path… When I leap, I imagine her. Not Devlin. Amber’s face is the last thing I see when the void swallows me whole.