Free What Following Brings by S. E. Campbell

sounded as though one Demon had gotten away, but the other one had not been so lucky . Eden heard him scream and knew she had made a bad mistake. She had trapped herself in with the Satan Spawn. Sh e wouldn ’ t be able to get away i n time. Not from Raiders .
    The mist entered the examination room and headed toward her. She backed up against the wall as a cold Raider appeared before her. The Raider stared at Eden with emotionless eyes.
    â€œ Please, ” Eden said. “ I let you out, didn ’ t I? Surely you can understand I gave you freedom. ”
    The Raider was detached and cold . Evil. But she did not swoop down upon her. Instead her head moved slowly and she touched the glass vial where another Raider remained. Eden withdrew her hand from the vial as if the glass had burned her. The Raider glided back to Eden.
    â€œ Free them, ” the Raider said.
    â€œ You can ’ t open the bottles yourself? ” Eden asked.
    â€œ Free them, ” the Raider repeated , voice growing louder .
    Eden gasped. It appeared the Raider couldn ’ t open the bottles. But she knew if she opened them all, there would be no hope for her. Raiders weren ’ t the sort of creatures who would hold a soft spot in their heart s for somebody who had released their brethren. The y were the sort of creatures who would wait for her to open all of the bottles and pounce.
    â€œ I, I don ’ t know, ” Eden said.
    The Raider sighed and put both of her hands on Eden ’ s shoulders. She stared into Eden ’ s eyes with a hard, cold, stare. Eden felt c hilled a s stared into blank eyes. She heard the sound of loud yelling behind her and the Raiders .
    â€œ If I let them go, then you won ’ t attack me, ” Eden said. “ There are others on this floor. If I release all of you, then… ”
    Releasing her, the Raider stepped back. Eden realized this was a “ yes. ” At least, she thought it was. The Raider disappeared into a faint mist at her feet as Eden reached up and grabbed the cold bottles from the cupboard just as five Demon soldiers rounded the corner and unsheathed their swords.
    â€œ You ’ re in for it now, ” one of the Demon soldiers said, stepping forward with his sword pointed at Eden .
    The Raider re- formed again with a breath of air and appeared next to Eden . The Demon who had been so cocky swore and took a step back but his escape was stopped by his four other frozen comrades. Eden dropped the Raider bottles on the floor and fine mist and g lass coated the stone . White faces, pale and emotionless, appeared around her and then began to condense and gain bodies. A Raider placed a cold hand on Eden ’ s shoulder and whipped her around . Eden cursed herself.
    Then the first Raider, the original Raider who had demanded she free her brethren , whispered something inaudible to Eden . The one which held her released her, staring at her with cold, empty eyes. The Demon soldier swore again.
    â€œ They ’ re on her side, ” the Demon soldier said. “ Run. ”
    All Raiders , except the original one , moved back into a fine mist and followed after the soldiers. Eden shut her eyes as she heard the sound of screaming in the hallway when their energy was stolen, and she knew it was her fault. She g r asped her chest , which hurt. At least the soldiers would only be in pain. Raiders only gave souls Morsus. They didn ’ t cause them to reincarnate .
    Eden felt cold again, unusual for a soul, and opened her eyes. The main Raider hovered before her . Fear filled Eden . She didn ’ t like standing before such a Satan Spawn with the goal of help ing it.
    â€œ You will relea se the others, ” the Raider said coldly. “ You will also break those hideous lamps on the outside walls so we may be free. ”
    â€œ Keep your friends from attacking me and the prisoners and we have a deal, ” Eden said.
    â€œ As long as the soldiers who