Free Where All Souls Meet by S. E. Campbell Page A

laughed, but because it echoed so much, it was hard for Eden to tell where it had come from.
    "Some all-powerful human," Lamashtu said. "Even Pazuzu could beat you, and she's—"
    Eden kicked the puddle with her foot so it splattered the wall.
    "Tag, you're it," she said, then turned around and sprinted for the stairs.
    Angry demonic roaring filled the chamber again; Eden continued her path down the stairs before the lion-headed demon grabbed her and lost her temper. She shot out the door and into the night. Her friends' lanterns were close to her, closer than she had realized when she looked out of the window. They could see her. She knew they could.
    "Help me!" Eden yelled.
    Feet thundered behind her and white Raiders' faces appeared around her, whispering angrily. The mist began to get thicker and thicker, stopping her progress. Eden gasped in horror and tried to move, but then a Raider appeared in front of her and stared at her with cold eyes. Eden expected the Raider to swoop down and steal her soul's energy, but instead the Raider did not move. Suddenly, three other Raiders appeared, forming a makeshift prison as they adjoined hands.
    "Let me through," she said. " Please ."
    Why am I saying please to Satan Spawn? Her brow furrowed as she heard the sound of running. Eden turned and saw the mist parting around Lamashtu like the ocean parted for Moses. A deep growling filled the night.
    "In the name of the Lord our God, let me through ," she demanded.
    The Satan Spawn shivered at the name but continued to grasp hands. She should have known Raiders wouldn't be so simple to overthrow as she did not know if they really counted as demons. Finally, Lamashtu was upon her, and the Raiders disappeared into mist.
    "You shall pay for your impudence, human," Lamashtu said.
    "Like I'm scared of someone who hides as a puddle ," she said, trying to buy time. She turned but the demon grabbed her arm.
    "Do you know what I've done? I've poisoned nations left and right. Do. Not. Mock. Me." Lamashtu narrowed her eyes in anger.
    Trembling, Eden knew there would be no way she could get away with Lamashtu so close. The lanterns grew closer now, close enough for her to make out Yuri among the front of the pack as her friends ran toward her.
    "It's Lamashtu," Eden yelled. "Lamashtu is the one keeping me captive."
    With a snarl, the demon seized Eden’s hair and began to drag her back toward the prison.
    ****
    "I would rip you apart if I could," Lamashtu said, dragging her back toward her cell.
    "Unfortunately, I am not allowed to get rid of you so easily. Stay in your cell until my Lord comes for you. With luck, maybe all of us will have a turn of torturing you until you can't see straight."
    With an angry growl, Lamashtu hurled her into the cell. Eden yelped, rolled, and then gazed at the demon.
    "Mmm." Lamashtu snarled. "At last I see some fear in your expression."
    Then the demon was gone, but not truly. Eden knew that Lamashtu would no longer underestimate her, which would be a big problem. Demon pride was one of the only things she could take advantage of in order to escape.

Chapter Six

    Eden did not know how long she sat there — it could have been hours or days or even weeks — formulating a plan. Every second felt like an hour. She did not dare move from her spot on the floor, or else Lamashtu would charge . I don't know how long I have until Agares gets back. Brow furrowing, she frowned at her feet. He isn't going to be happy when he finds out I broke through his hallucinations.
    As Eden let out a long moan of frustration, she felt the ground beneath her shake; she grabbed the wall and shivered. What is going on? In the room next door, she heard Lamashtu give a loud hiss. The demon appeared at the threshold of the door with her eyes narrowed in anger.
    "You," her captor shouted. "This is your doing."
    Eden sat up. "How could this be my doing?"
    "You have ways," Lamashtu said.
    "I am still just a human," Eden said. "I