Holy Device X: Resurrected (4 page)

Devon was taken aback. In all of his dark wisdom, he hadn't expected this. He fought against the grip of both the pool of blood holding him in place, but struggling only made the Lifeblood's hold tighter. Devon unleashed a maddening cry that echoed throughout the building, shaking the rafters. The light continued to seep through the reddened pool as more bloody tendrils grabbed and latched without mercy onto his demonic form, slowly pulling him down into the boiling depths below. Even as he struggled, they only held tighter. He now was aware that he couldn't escape, but succumbing to the power of his enemy was never an option.

However, he could not die. As a spirit made—in part—of flesh and blood, he was destined to always
be
, to reign over all evil and darkness. He knew this wasn't the beginning, or the end. He wept, not in pain, but with anger and hatred. Abruptly the cries ended, silenced by Josef's blood as it mummified his body and pulled him deeper and deeper down to Hell.

Silence fell again, save for the crackle of small fires caused by the explosion. Out in the demolished hallway, Vivian lay naked and dead next to Josef. Puffs of smoke lifted from his gapping mouth. His eyes rolled open and his lips quivered as they moved. Nearing the certain death of his own mortal shell, he uttered one word before forfeiting to the summoning and irresistible call of the Light. "Checkmate..."