His fingers were inches away from the green, shiny gem. Then—
BAM!
He threw the green book across the room. It hit the wall and fell to the floor.
Kyle was breathing hard, and sweat ran down his face.
`What... what was that?!` His heart was pounding fast. `I-I couldn't control myself. For a moment, I couldn't—`
He looked at his trembling fingers.
`That wasn't the gem. That was the Serpent! Even without bonding, even through a relic, it almost took me!`
He forced himself to breathe slowly and deeply. After a few minutes, his heart stopped racing, and his hand stopped shaking.
He looked at the green book on the floor. The green gem was still there, glowing faintly.
He focused himself, and his eyes flickered crimson.
"Block external mental influences," he commanded himself. "Strengthen my mental resistance."
Then, he stood up and walked to the book. He picked it up carefully.
