Eli’s eye rotated to fix on them, but there was no recognition there, no words formed by the tongue. Still, Alex knew the man was inside somehow, his soul trapped within the mechanics of the huge carcass.

“You used him … mutilated him,” Alex said. “You took him apart and then sewed him into this, monstrosity.”

“He serves me now.” The voice was amused, perhaps by the reactions on their faces.

Alex searched for its source, and for the first time, he looked away from the slack face of the giant. In its arms was a tiny figure, like a blackened doll. It was all gnarled and twisted, its eyes little more than yellowed slits.

“Jesus Christ. You little freak, you butchered him.” Sam had moved out and to the side.

Alex could guess what he was doing – the big HAWC was going to take a run at the thing. Use his body in a linebacker-type tackle to bring it down.

“Don’t Sam.” Alex knew the being was obviously able to project some sort of force with its mind, and Sam wouldn’t have made two steps.

“You are Jabir ibn Hayyan?” Alex asked.

“This is what is left of him.” Its yellow eyes narrowed. “The years, the centuries, have left little of the man that once was.” It sighed, but then its expression became sharper. “Ah, I feel your aggression.” The eyes seemed to glow. “No, not your aggression, Alex Hunter, but the other one inside you. It boils in its fury, and you hate it as much as it hates you. It is your weakness, and your strength.” It laughed, and it used its small claw-like hands to lift itself slightly, as if to see Alex better. “You were worth waiting for, Arcadian. Join me, and the others all go free. You have my word.”

“Join you like Eli there?” Sam said. “Just say the word, boss.”

“Stand down, soldier,” Alex said softly. He looked up at the ripped and sliced face of the giant figure. “Is that what you want? Another pair of hands, like that?”

Jabir ibn Hayyan’s hideous little face twisted into a grin. “The Zhayedan are no more than marionettes to do as they are told. But Alex Hunter, you will join with me, and me with you. I will supply the mind, and you will supply the body. What a pairing we will make.”

“And what happens to my mind – where does that go?” Alex asked, already guessing the answer.

“It will not be lost. It will come here, into this body, which you can keep.” Jabir ibn Hayyan looked up at Eli. “And this Zhayedan will carry you.”

“No way,” Sam said.