Time stood still as Mortika?’s greedy gaze slid to the altar, caressing the stone hungrily. A kernel of panic, cold and hard, formed in the pit of Gideon’s stomach.
No, it wouldn’t go down like that. Not if he had anything to say about it. Mortika? wasn’t going to touch the amulet. Gideon wouldn’t stop now, wouldn’t be defeated. Not when he was so close. Fierce, focused resolve pushed aside all common sense and rational thought, burying the fury and the panic, until he was the brutal, unfeeling killer he’d once been, honed in the fires of Hell.
He fought to remain in control, struggled to keep his temper in check. Because if he slipped, even for a moment, and the monster inside him won, all could be lost. He could be lost.
“Perhaps I’ll keep the Amulet of the Gods for myself,” Mortika? said, gloating.
Just like that, the monster raged free. Pain ripped through Gideon as muscles and tendons tore and reformed, his frame growing larger, more powerful. Blood gushed inside his mouth as his teeth shot long and jagged, tearing into his lower lip. Not just fangs as most demons possessed, but a complete mouthful of lethal daggers. His claws burst forth like steel talons. Searing agony split his skull as horns sprouted, lengthened, spiraled up and back.
Temptation savored the pain, reveled in the agony. He thirsted for blood. Wouldn’t stop until he’d drenched himself in it. Somewhere, deep in the back of his mind, a niggling tendril of something tugged at him. A concern. A goal.
But he couldn’t recall what it was. Only that an enemy stood before him, waiting to die.
His roar of challenge echoed throughout the jungle, sending shrieking flocks of birds flapping into the brilliant blue sky. Startled animals screamed and chattered. Somewhere in the distance, another large predator roared in reply.
His enemy hurled plasma balls in quick succession. Temptation dodged and rolled, firing his own molten missiles. He shimmered behind the demon, tossing another plasma ball, but the demon vanished and reappeared across the room. In anticipation of his opponent’s next move, Temptation shimmered near the doorway, solidifying a split second before the demon.
Temptation launched himself at his adversary’s back. He bared his sharp teeth and went for the demon’s throat. But his opponent twisted at the last second, and Temptation missed his target, sinking his teeth into the tendons where neck joined shoulder instead.
His rival’s body convulsed and the demon roared in pain as acidic blood filled Temptation’s mouth. Tearing loose, he spat out the foul-tasting flesh and blood.
The two massive titans crashed to the floor, grappling and clawing, landing bone-crushing blows with massive fists. Temptation reared back as he pinned his foe to the floor, his arm slashing down toward the demon’s throat, claws fully extended in what was sure to be a decapitating blow.
At the last second, the demon vanished. Temptation’s knees connected with solid rock and his claws gouged deep furrows into the ancient stone. He whipped his head up, his senses throbbing and overloaded because of the amulet’s proximity and power.
A plasma ball skimmed his already injured side, searing away clothing and flesh. Another plasma ball slammed into the massive altar nearby. The corner exploded in a spray of dust and sharp shards. Another plasma ball, another explosion of rock dust and jagged projectiles. All too soon, his challenger’s game became apparent. And Temptation began to remember his own purpose. There was something in that altar he needed.
But slowly, blast by blast, his enemy was demolishing the altar, and with it the incantations inscribed in the ancient stone. Bit by bit, he was whittling away any chance Temptation had of fully understanding and harnessing the powers of the Amulet of the Gods.
And there wasn’t a damned thing Temptation could do to stop him, aside from kill him. Heaven help him, he was trying. Rage fueled his demonic body, driving the last meager shreds of logic and reason to the far recesses of his mind. He increased the speed and ferocity of his attack.
Another bolt of fire shook the altar, causing the top slab to teeter and crash to the floor on one side, revealing a hollow in the base of the stones. Before Temptation could react, his challenger shimmered to the altar. He plunged his beefy fist through what was left of the secret vault, his triumphant gaze locked on Temptation. And as his foe straightened, his bloodied fist lifted to the sky, the glint of gold and bloodred rubies sparkled from between his clenched fingers.
Temptation conjured a black athamé and let it fly. The ten-inch blade buried itself deep in his opponent’s chest. The demon staggered back a step, his roar of triumph cut short as he clutched the hilt of the athamé with his free hand. His ghoulish face registered first shock, then agonized pain. A trickle of blood gathered at the corner of his mouth. Temptation pushed to his feet and called forth his sword. He would take this bastard’s head.