Finding Amber (Book 5) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 17

Estevan 

Mica’s here. I can sense him. He’s been watching us, but I don’t tell Amber for two reasons. I don’t want to stress her, and it would also let Mica know that I know. I’m better off letting him think he has the element of surprise. Shortly after I opened his front door, I sensed him. Here, but not. I’m guessing that’s why I can no longer transport. He’s spent years here, that much is obvious. He knows the ins and outs. What bothers me is why the waiting? What trap is he trying to lead me to?
I try to communicate with Jacob, but it’s dead silent. Putting that worry aside, I focus on a plan to deal with Mica. I’ve got one ace in the hole, but it’s risky. 
Staying in the same position, I peek at Amber. Why she would want to be with me is a mystery, as much as it is a blessing. Her beauty is otherworldly, and her smart mouth will keep me entertained for centuries to come. 
My mind draws a blank when it comes to relationships. Either I’ve never learned, or I’ve spent too long alone to remember how it works. I know I’m botching it, and I want so badly to make it work. I’ve never wanted a woman as potently as I want Amber. Learning her is a highly pleasurable experience, and I don’t know how to ask for forever or if she even wants forever with me. That outcome is yet to be seen. I stay stone still as she gets on her knees and leans toward me. I haven’t the slightest idea what she’s doing, but I feel her hand wave in front of me. Opening my eyes, I find her nose to nose with me.
“Boo!” 
She jumps back, trying to catch her balance and tumbling even in the process. My chuckle turns into hysteric laughter. As I try to rein it in, she shoots me her haughtiness glare yet.
“That was not funny!” She says with a pout.
It was, but I don’t press my luck. I haven’t laughed like that in… I don’t think I’ve ever been so amused. I feel light with her. She’s adorable when she’s angry, and when I tell her, the pout becomes a beaming smile.
“You’re beautiful when you’re happy… and you’re sexy when you’re mad.”
Amber’s smile falls, and her lips part invitingly. I pull her into my lap and brush her silky hair out of her face.
“When you look at me like that, I want to strip you bare in more ways than one and spend hours learning your body inside and out.”
It’s the most honest thing I’ve ever said, and I have no shame saying it.
“What’s stopping you?” She whispers, a breath away from my lips. My tongue reflectively reaches out to taste her sweet mouth when a shadow casts a shade over my vision.
Mica! I roll onto Amber, protecting her from the blade aimed for her neck. It all happens in a matter of seconds. We square off as he charges me with the deadly claymore. I sift, materializing behind him and kick his feet out, going for the sword, but he rebounds fast, twisting on the spot. I knew he’d show up. The bloody slaw was waiting for the opportune time. If he had any ballocks at all, he would face me like a man.
He gets up, and we circle, taking one another’s measure. It’s not just another vampire I’m fighting, but a power that’s as old as time. Even though the ceremony wasn’t completed, the power is still his. Once Mica learns to wield it, there will be no stopping him. Mica will have to take his place in the underworld forever bound to its land. I believe that the outcome will be sweeter than death.
Faking right, I dodge left and send him flying into a thick oak tree. The claymore hits a wall that shouldn’t be there. It’s another plane! I can’t risk going in, not when we’re so close to getting out, but it gives me an idea. One thing about planes is always true. You can never exit where you enter. I pull the sword out and glance at Amber.  She’s been watching and knows exactly what I’m thinking. I give her a nod, turning to face the other way, and she gets in position. When Mica charges me this time, I duck, and Amber shoves him forward directly into the planes entrance. It will buy me some time; hopefully enough to get out of here. The next time we see him, we may not be so lucky.  
“Let’s go!”