A flash of heat surged up his arm. Andrew gasped and jerked his hand back, but the heat intensified. Energy sizzled over his flesh. Muscles cramped and his body convulsed. His cock hardened and his blood seemed to boil within him. Euphoric numbness dizzied his mind. Unable to pull away, he touched the solid stone, yet his fingers faded, sinking into the hieroglyph. “Andrew!” Khalid’s voice drifted into the distance. Andrew tried to reach for him, tried to grasp on and hold him, but Khalid spun, morphing into oblivion. His image had nearly disappeared. Panic crashed over Andrew. “Khalid!” He cried out, but words floated unheard into the encroaching darkness. Darker. The lantern blew out and then Andrew was gone. Andrew spiraled into nothingness. The world was gone…Khalid was gone. He choked, unable to breathe under the crushing weight of the darkness. * * * * * “Enter.” The harsh order weaved through the fog of his thoughts. Andrew tried to focus, but his head swam in confusion.
