Jayden's POV
I groaned in pain as the vampire ran with me, describing his movement as running would be an underestimation, he was flying.
I yelped when he stopped suddenly and slammed me into a tree.
"Let's see what you've got", he said, his hands behind him, waiting for me to get up.
I rose to my feet, my body in pain. I close my eyes, trying to self-heal. It was excruciating.
When I had managed to stop my bleeding, I opened my eyes to stare at my opponent, calculating. He was probably ten times stronger and faster than me, and I had to plan my movement carefully or end up getting killed.
"I see you're an instinctive fighter", he said, giggling. How about we make this fairer?"
He made a swirling motion with his hands, and a portal opened. I gasped, I didn't know cold ones could have such powers. Who the hell was this guy? He looked exactly like the guy who had attacked Jovita, but I could tell he wasn't the same guy. He smelt different, moved differently, and acted differently.
I felt a force push me into the portal, and Uriel came in after me, shutting it.
I found myself in a temple-like building. It had huge pillars made of gold, while its walls were painted a lovely shade of beige and white. I could see statues and inscriptions that were incoherent. It looked like an ancient world with a mild modern touch. I could hear the splashes of water and the roars of waves, I guessed there was probably a sea nearby. The temple had floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the rays of the sun which reflected on the golden lamps, realistic weird-looking paintings, and a golden throne mounted in the centre of the room. It all looked unreal, so I guessed he was toiling with my mind.
I gulped, I couldn't hear the thoughts of my brothers or Jovita anymore. I would have to fight to defend myself all alone or die trying.
I decided to extract a little bit of information and clear some air before I die or in case I made it through.
"Are you doing this because of Jovita?" I asked, cautiously watching him as I planned my attack.
"I'd be lying if I said no, but she's not the only reason".
"Why?"
"I guess she hasn't told you, she's my childhood best friend, and probably the only woman I've ever loved, but I had to hide from her when I found out who I was". And now, after all these years, on the verge of escaping death from an angry pack of dogs, I find my fated mate" " he said, amusement in his amber eyes, which were a shade close to Topaz now. But the other reason, I can't share yet until I see you're an equal match".
"Your fated mate?" She's mine", I growled, attacking him. My wolf was furious.
Halfway before I reached him, I muffled into my wolf, aiming for his head.
He met my attack, flinging me to a corner of the room like I was some sort of paper.
I picked myself up again, pain shooting through my entire frame. What was this guy? I thought.
"If you love her, why did you try to kill her?"
"Kill her?" He asked with a puzzled expression. I would never do that".
He moved towards me, and in an instant, he was clutching my throat.
I didn't know cold ones could be this strong or this fast. He moved faster than my eyes could see, gracefully and swiftly. From the way he tossed me around, I could see he had great strength. He looked my age, was probably an inch shorter than me, and seemed to possess mystical powers, but on the outside, he looked very ordinary. I couldn't understand what was going on.
I had never been defeated in combat before, but with this guy, I felt like a weakling. Maybe Jovita deserved a mate as good as this, a mate who could truly protect her.
My wolf growled at my thoughts, but I ignored it. I was bleeding profusely, but I was too weak to self-heal again.
I launched at Uriel again, striking a punch at his rock-like body. He staggered back, his eyes flashing in pain. He lifted me by the neck and flung me to the throne.
I groaned as my back came in contact with the hard metal, I had probably broken a bone or two, and I couldn't feel my legs.
"To think you ever thought you were hunting me? I should let you go, I want a fair fight, not one with a weakling. You're not ready yet", he said with a chuckle, walking away.
Did he just call me a weakling? I asked, my blood boiling. I had always been called the best, the strongest of the strongest.
I flung myself at him, but he brought me to the ground with a swift movement of his elbow.
He put his boot on my neck, a pathetic smile on his face.
"Don't you think she deserves better?" He asked with an evilish grin on his perfectly handsome face. I would have my fight Jayden, but when you're ready, now go.
He made the swirling motion motion again, and a portal opened. I could see the forest where we came from.
I dragged my weakened body up, walking towards the opening. I turned once more to stare at him, anger blurring my vision.
"It won't be long", I said.
"And I look forward to that day with battered breath", he replied a wicked smile on his face, before closing the portal.
I looked around, trying to find my way home. It was a bit brighter now, and I could guess the night was half gone.
Slowly, I felt dizzy, and my vision clouded. I let out a moan as I came crashing to the ground, and the world went blank.