"I like a man with confidence.” Jasper smiled sharply. “What if the cost is your own life?" Jake shrugged. He would die no matter what happened. He could see it in the monster's eyes. But he wasn't about to give Jasper the pleasure of his fear.
"I can read your mind, little man. I know what you feel."
"Then you know I loathe you more than I fear you."
The chill in the mad blue depths sent ice splintering down his spine. For an instant he regretted his rash words.
"Bravery must run in your profession,” Jasper said. “As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I must go tend to my traps. But first, a drink is called for, I think."
The fiend lunged at him. Jake scrambled backwards, but talon-like fingers caught his arm, tearing into skin. Jake swore and kicked out. Jasper only laughed. Fear slammed through Jake's entire being, and no amount of fighting against Jasper's hold could stop the journey towards the gleaming white teeth and death.
"Struggle little man. Struggle as hard as you can. I like my meal accompanied by fear." Teeth tore into his neck. Jake screamed as the warm gush of horror plunged him into darkness... Nikki's scream echoed through Michael's soul. He tore her from Jake's mind and lurched forward, catching her as she fell sideways out of the chair.
"Easy, little one. We're safe. You're safe,” he whispered and held her gently, one hand caressing the silky length of her hair.
She shuddered and wrapped her arms around him, holding on as if she'd never let him go. Which was about as far from the truth as you could get. “I'm sorry, Nikki. I should have pulled us out earlier."
"Yes,” she agreed softly.
Lightly linked as they were, he could see the visions running riot in her mind, felt her shudder as she remembered Jasper's teeth tearing into her flesh...
"Jake's memory. Not yours.” It will not happen to you, Nikki. I won't allow it.
"My memories because we were there."
"Hush. It's over."
She sighed into his chest, her breath warm against his skin. “For us. Not for Jake." True. He pulled away from her, though it was the last thing in the world he wanted to do, and held her at arm's length. “If we want to save him, we'll have to move quickly." She sniffed then turned and sifted quickly through the papers of Jake's desk. “There's a map of the area