Promise of Wrath (Hellequin Chronicles, #6)

by Steve McHugh

“You’re blaming me for your deeds—for your need to hurt people. That’s nothing to do with me; that’s all on you and your complete lack of self-control. No one forced you to murder people, no one forced you to kill and betray your friends. So take that statement and shove it right up your ass, you utter coward!”

“You’re blaming me for your deeds—for your need to hurt people. That’s nothing to do with me; that’s all on you and your complete lack of self-control. No one forced you to murder people, no one forced you to kill and betray your friends. So take that statement and shove it right up your ass, you utter coward!”

soldiers hurried out of her way. She didn’t seem to mind that none of them wished to touch her; she’d cultivated her reputation as someone to be feared over many years—a reputation that was completely true from what I’d heard. “I am Ereshkigal,” she said to me. The torchlight around us showed off her long, dark dress, although

soldiers hurried out of her way. She didn’t seem to mind that none of them wished to touch her; she’d cultivated her reputation as someone to be feared over many years—a reputation that was completely true from what I’d heard. “I am Ereshkigal,” Ereshkigal (Sumerian: "Queen of the Great Earth") Mesopotamian/Sumerian mythology - goddess of Kur (underworld/land of the dead) In later myths, she was said to rule Irkalla alongside her husband Nergal. Sometimes her name is given as Irkalla, similar to the way the name Hades was used in Greek mythology for both the underworld and its ruler, and sometimes it is given as Ninkigal, lit. "Lady of the Great Earth". Ereshkigal was only one of multiple deities regarded as rulers of the underworld in Mesopotamia. The main temple dedicated to her was located in Kutha, a city originally associated with Nergal. The two main myths involving Ereshkigal are the story of "Inanna's Descent to the Underworld" and the story of Ereshkigal's marriage to the god Nergal. Other myths also associate her with gods such as Ninazu, originally regarded as her husband but later as a son, and Ningishzida. Abode: Kur or Irkalla Parents: Nanna and Ningal (implicitly, following the most common genealogy of Inanna) Siblings: Utu and Inanna (younger siblings according to Inanna's Descent) Consort: Ninazu, Gugalana, later Nergal Children: Nungal, Ninazu, Namtar (in only one text) Equivalents: Greek equivalent - Hecate (only in a late magical papyrus), Hurrian equivalent - Allani, Hittite equivalent - Sun goddess of the Earth, Hattian equivalent - Lelwani .

ekimmu

The edimmu or ekimmu, were a type of utukku in the Mesopotamian religion of Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia, similar in nature to the preta of the Hindu religions or the Jiangshan of Chinese mythology. They were envisioned as the ghosts of those who were not buried properly. They were considered vengeful toward the living and might possess people if they did not respect certain taboos, such as the prohibition against eating ox meat. They were thought to cause disease and inspire criminal behavior in the living, but could sometimes be appeased by funeral repasts or libations. The edimmu were also thought to be completely or nearly incorporeal, "wind" spirits that sucked the life out of the susceptible and the sleeping (most commonly the young).

Mušhuššu,

Mušhuššu - a creature from ancient Mesopotamian mythology. A mythological hybrid, it is a scaly animal with hind legs resembling the talons of an eagle, lion-like forelimbs, a long neck and tail, two horns on its head, a snake-like tongue, and a crest. The mušḫuššu most famously appears on the Ishtar Gate of the city of Babylon, dating to the sixth century BCE.

Bašmu.”

Bašmu - an ancient Mesopotamian mythological creature, a horned snake with two forelegs and wings. It was also the Akkadian name of the Babylonian constellation equivalent to the Greek Hydra. The Sumerian terms ušum (portrayed with feet, see Ninurta's Dragon) and muš-šà-tùr ("birth goddess snake", portrayed without feet) may represent differing iconographic types or different demons. It is first attested by a 22nd-century BC cylinder inscription at Gudea.

“Sharing information is not in my nature. I find the idea of people knowing more, or as much as I do, disconcerting. Several of our pantheon have expressed irritation with my methods over the years.” “You mean you got punched a lot?”

“You ready?” the pilot asked, and we quickly accelerated off the rooftop and up into the night sky. “I heard a rumor you don’t like heights. That true?” she asked. “No, my eyes are closed because I really enjoy hanging out of helicopters that are high in the air,” I muttered. “How high do you need to be?” “A hundred feet should do it,” I said. “I’m not sure just how much impact I’ll be able to stop. I’ve managed to slow myself from a fall of about sixty or seventy feet before, but even so, this isn’t going to feel great.” “If you don’t think you can do this, say now. Because I can’t hang around. This needs to look like a passing flight—not anything stopping.” “I can do it,” I said, unsure if I was convincing her or me. “I just don’t want to do it.”

“You ready?” the pilot asked, and we quickly accelerated off the rooftop and up into the night sky. “I heard a rumor you don’t like heights. That true?” she asked. “No, my eyes are closed because I really enjoy hanging out of helicopters that are high in the air,” I muttered. “How high do you need to be?” “A hundred feet should do it,” I said. “I’m not sure just how much impact I’ll be able to stop. I’ve managed to slow myself from a fall of about sixty or seventy feet before, but even so, this isn’t going to feel great.” “If you don’t think you can do this, say now. Because I can’t hang around. This needs to look like a passing flight—not anything stopping.” “I can do it,” I said, unsure if I was convincing her or me. “I just don’t want to do it.” *Note* Spoken like anyone who has ever overcome a REAL challenge.

The pilot smiled. “Go. Destroy.” She winked, making me smile, and I pushed myself off.

The pilot smiled. “Go. Destroy.” She winked, making me smile, and I pushed myself off. *Note* Bracing yourself to face a challenge followed by the best words from a friend/a coach/a teammate/yourself.

She ran toward Gilgamesh. It was the single craziest thing I’ve ever seen. A five-and-a-half foot, 112-pound person against a ten-foot-tall giant, who probably weighed the better part of half a ton.

Loving the "things aren't always what they seem"/"hidden power" overlays of a biblical David & Goliath scene recast as a petite woman vs a giant.

“This whole thing is a lot to think on. I think I’m going to buy a bottle of Scotch, the world’s biggest bag of fish-and-chips and drink and eat myself into a coma.” He hummed the Mario tune again. “I’m not sure if I want to stop having these little brain things. I quite like having my mind always on the move.” He smiled.

Welcome to ADHD. :-)

“That’s right, pick on the little fox guy. It’s not like I’m small and quiet and can turn up in unexpected places with a knife or anything.” “Have I ever told you how much you worry me?” Diana asked. “Probably. Everyone else has.”

And London had outwardly changed not one bit. There were rumors that Hera was culling those who lived there and disagreed with her, but nothing concrete.

Similar to the blindness of those who lived in Germany when the Nazis were rounding people up.