Chills ran down the spines of the tribeswomen as Max's crimson eyes swept across the village. Even the bravest warriors instinctively retreated, tightening their grips around their weapons as though an ancient predator had suddenly marked them as its prey.
The old shaman felt her dying heart pound against her chest. Unlike the others, she understood what was happening. Max and the Silver Crab were fighting for control of the same body, their opposing wills stirring a rage that threatened to erupt at any moment, like molten fury rising from the depths of a volcano.
"I'll fight him and hold him off for as long as I can. The rest of you, retreat from the village! Don't stop until you're far enough away. Either I kill him, or he kills me, but I won't allow any of our people to die here!"
