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

revealed a fistful of bills and grimaced at Edward.
    "How could you do it, Dad?" Meg asked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You sold our brother. I would rather work until I bleed than let this to happen to him."
    "He can still go back," Mr. Durson said stiffly. "I am not an unkind man. Edward, what do you say? Will you come with me and earn the money I gave your family?"
    As he stood there, he noted his sister's sad face, his mom's thinness, and his dad's anger and frustration. He could stop it. He could be the answer. In order to save his family, he would give up his life for them. Being a servant was a small sacrifice to make to feed them.
    "I'll do it," he said quietly.
    Though his mom sobbed, he heard his dad sigh in relief. Edward knew as he stood there he had thought of his family first, so he had done the right thing.
    Eden was ripped from Edward's body and remained in the "in-between" world. Everything around her was black, and this time, she went up instead of down. As she sped toward the light at a frightening pace, she extended her hand toward it, enveloped in the warmth.

Chapter Four

    When Eden awoke to Purgatory, she lay on the ground. Edward stood above her, watching her. My fourth soul. I found my fourth soul. As she watched him, she found herself both pitying him and being awed by him.
    "Are you okay?" Yuri asked.
    "Who would have thought you were lucky card number four, Edward," Thema said. "What did he do?"
    "Guys, I think I hear something," Aaron said, but only Adanna glanced where he pointed.
    Both Edward and Yuri reached down and grabbed Eden by an arm. They hauled her to her feet and she shook herself off. Edward stared down at himself, then shook his head in disbelief.
    "Me?" Edward said. "It can't be me. Thema told me all about the souls meant to save us. This can't be right. I was a pretty bad person while I was alive."
    "Buddy, I was a Demon general for years and I am one of the souls," Yuri said wryly. "I'm not sure what we're being judged on, but trust me, you are a better choice than me."
    "Guys," Aaron said, more desperate now.
    Everyone turned to glance at Aaron and Adanna. Eden saw she was waving her arms around wildly with her hair blowing in a strong wind. Adanna rarely panicked, so Eden was instantly on edge. What was going on? When she gazed through the trees, she saw what had Adanna flailing. There were twenty-four enflamed eyes staring at them. This meant there were twelve shadow demons glaring straight at her. At their front was Jared.
    " You ," Yuri said, disbelieving. "Jared, what are you doing?"
    Yuri withdrew his sword and held it in front of him. He stepped in front of Eden, as did the others one by one. Adanna and Thema, who did not have weapons, held up their hands as if their fists could protect her.
    Jared stepped into the camp and the twelve demons followed him. The demons surrounded their group, their darkness so dense they appeared like cloak-wearing men with glowing red eyes. There was no way for her, or any of them, to escape.
    "I'm sorry, Yuri," Jared said. "There is no way this girl can beat Satan. She is too weak. The best thing you can do is to join him now."
    "I can't believe you betrayed us," Yuri said. "I trusted you. You were my right-hand man."
    "I betrayed her, not you," Jared said. "The demons won't touch you or the others. Just her."
    "If you think I'll let you take her, then you've got another thing coming," Yuri said.
    "Yeah," Aaron said. "I'll destroy you first, you back-stabbing traitor."
    Yuri and Aaron charged Jared and Aaron managed to graze the left side of Jared's face. With a wail, Jared stepped backward as ectoplasm flew off of his ear. He clapped his hand to the side of his head, swore, and then took a step farther back. The demons advanced, the circle closing in. There were so many eyes and so many hands. Eden knew there was little she could do to fight them, but if Yuri and the others could get away… It was her duty to collect and protect