The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1)

by Gwyndolyn Russell

  I knew those eyes. Those horns.

  The creature snarled, a sound that made blood curdle in my veins.

  It snapped its jaws into the gut of the smaller creature.

  "Fenris." I said.

  No answer. It was too busy eating.

  "Fenris!" I said a bit louder.

  Nostradamus stood a few feet behind me, ready to slip back behind Yaaranam if this thing turned out not to be our Fenris.

  In the blink of an eye, the creature spun on its toes and launched into the air. Those enormous arms, way too large for its body, dug their claws into either side of the cave and lifted it up nearly to the ceiling.

  Its jaws snapped a few times and it let out a bloodthirsty roar that caused loose rocks to fall from the ceiling.

  It almost looked like its body was set aflame in a black fire that poured down to the floor.

  Sure enough, it had another pair of arms properly proportioned to its body which it used to display those razor sharp claws.

  Red lights lined its frame, pulsing in and out upwards with each breath it took.

  "It's all right!" I said, dropping my rifle so it hung against my chest. I held both of my hands up.

  The creature lowered itself to the floor, those wolfish metal feet thumping under its weight. It stood barely a foot in front of me. It growled in warning, its smaller arms reaching out at its sides.

  Yaaranam must have raised her rifle. It did not take the threat lightly. Another blink of the eye and one of its larger arms swung out, back handing Yaaranam into the far wall. The other smacked Nostradamus in the other direction. Then it came for me. I couldn't even react. It hit me in the chest and sent me straight to the ground where I slid until I hit a rock.

  I coughed and wheezed, gripping my chest. Each breath sent pain like lava through my body.

  Yaaranam picked herself up to a knee. Snatched up her weapon and fired it. The rounds ricocheted off Fenris, but got his attention off me.

  He turned on her and smacked the rifle. Half of the gun flew further into the cave, leaving what was in her hands sparking with loose wires.

  "Fenris!" I cracked. I took a sharp breath. "Stop!"

  Yaaranam threw the end of her weapon down and opted to go hand to hand. Fenris seemingly let her bust her knuckles against his chest before using one of his larger hands to grab her arm and throw her into the ground. He held her there, put a foot on her knee.

  Perhaps under a different circumstances, I wouldn't care if she got ripped apart. She was still just a filthy eldiravan to me. In my eyes, I'd rather see her dead than part of the Syndicate. Reaper would never forgive me if I let it happen now. I wasn't sure if she deserved to be killed like this. At least let her go out as a warrior in a fight she could possibly have a chance in.

  I forced myself up to my feet and hurried to them as quick as my searing lungs let me. I held my chest all the while as if it would ease the pain.

  "Fenris!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

  Another appendage sprouted from his back at his shoulder. A long, double jointed limb that ended like the blade of a scythe, a jagged blunt edge at the top. The limb reared back, prepping for a jab.

  "Fenris!" I jumped between them. Stood over Yaaranam and put a hand to the valkyrie's chest. "Stop! It's us!"

  The extra appendage twitched. His jaws clattered. He growled, made a jolt of his body like he would come for me next.

  I swallowed the pain and used my officer's voice. The one that commanded respect.

  "Fenris, listen to me. We aren't eos. We're your friends." I took a deep breath. "It's Jackal!"

  All of his lights shut off for a few seconds.

  When they came back on, they were reversed, falling down in quick succession. I felt his hot, puke worthy breath wash over my face.

  He let Yaaranam go, moved his foot off her. Those giant arms lowered to rest against the floor.

  The lights started to flow normally, that gravity defying waterfall. Yet the cracks for eyes still flowed down.

  "Jac...kal…" his voice trembled with a mechanical flare. His head tilted to the side.

  "Yeah, it's me." I tried to smile.

  He reached up to touch me with both hands, but took a step backwards instead. Then another.

  "I...Fenris hurt you…" His jaw shook. He grabbed his muzzle and pulled it down. "No…"

  He stepped far enough from the light I could only see his red ones.

  "Fenris, it's alright. It's dark. We snuck up on you."

  "No!" He growled. "Lost self...again...monster!"

  I followed him into the dark, the light on my rifle swinging over the floor.

  "You're not a monster. It was an accident. It's all right." I grabbed his arm. "Come on, let's get out of here."

  He looked at me, the trickling of his eyes slowing down.

  "Not afraid of Fenris?"

  "Fuck no. I'm not afraid of you." I lied. "I know you would never intentionally hurt any of us."

  "Are they okay?"

  "They're fine."

  I grabbed the rifle and aimed it to use the light. Nostradamus helped Yaaranam up to her feet. She was wheezing, but smiling.

  "Fuck. I knew you were strong, but wow!" She said.

  What a champion, I thought. Got her ass handed to her, looked death in the face, and she still congratulated him. Eldiravan were something else. Reminded me of Spectre, or just alpha hunters in general.

  She shot a glare at me. “I’m good, thanks for asking.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Let’s go. This place gives me the creeps.” I waved my hand and started for the entrance.

  “As you wish.” Fenris followed me closely.

  As we made our way back out of the cave, it clicked in my head. That strange appendage we saw before in the jungle. It matched the one that Fenris had on his shoulder. I didn’t see the other one while we were in the dark. Once we were out and into the light of the early morning, I looked up at him.

  Sure enough, the other one had been ripped off half way. What was left of it was left extended, mimicking the other one in a more relaxed state. I had no idea he had more than four limbs. He even had more than six. Those giant arms of his were hanging like broken wings, just barely lifted from the ground. Where had those been all year? There was more to this valkyrie than I knew.

  “Hey, you still have it.” I pointed to the pin still stuck against his chest.

  “Yes. Gift!” He touched it. His head lowered. “Thought Syndicate left long ago.”

  “We won’t leave without you.” I rubbed my side. “Are you hurt? You look like it.”

  “Am fine.” He shrugged.

  “You’re missing an arm!” I said. “I mean, whatever that thing is.”

  Fenris perked up suddenly, looked at either of his shoulders, then down at the big hands that had lifted up at either of his sides. Both of the scythes folded down, attaching to his shoulders just tucked under the fur of his collar. The arms tucked back underneath his cloak.

  “You can’t hide it from me, Fen.” My brow furrowed.

  “I believe he is not hiding his injuries.” Nostradamus said, leaving Yaaranam sitting on the bed of the truck.

  “What do you mean?”

  A question mark appeared on his face.

  “Fenris, are you embarrassed about your body?” Nostra asked.

  “What is...embarrassed?” His head tilted.

  “Ashamed.”

  Fenris’ head lowered. With a roll of his shoulders his cloak fell over the front of his body.

  I pulled the mask down around my neck.

  “Fen,” I said, “You don’t need to hide yourself from me or anyone.”

  “Frightens.” He stated.

  “So what? I…” I pursed my lips. “I think you look badass. I wish I had a pair of extra arms. That’d make life so much easier.”

  “Really?” He tilted his head, leaning down towards me.

  “You two are adorable.” Yaaranam said, resting an elbow on
her knee. “A boy and his dog.”

  “Fuck off.” I growled.

  “Look, I know, happy reunion. We need to head back to camp. Can’t you two wait till then to handle this sappy shit?”

  Nostradamus showed an exclamation point.

  “Do I need to kick your ass again? We’ll head back as soon as I know Fenris is fine.”

  “He’s obviously fine.” She held a hand out.

  Fenris began to growl.

  I’m pretty sure I was, too.

  Nostra jumped in front of us and waved his hands at me and Fenris.

  “Please, Lieutenant Jackal calm down. There is no need to bicker.” He paused for a second. “I believe Fenris is feeding off your energy. I fear you could send him out blindly.”

  “Huh? What do you mean feeding off?” My focus shifted from the annoying raven.

  Fenris no longer growled.

  “Precisely this. If you get angry, so does Fenris. You must stay calm.”

  “I don’t think that’s how that works.”

  “The two of you are bonded. You’re connected.” He put two of his fingers together, displaying two red strings tied in a knot.

  Fenris’ head tilted to the side. He watched Nostradamus with a curious look.

  I shook my head.

  “Hey, did you have any luck finding that thing?” I asked, looking up to Fenris.

  His head bobbed around before dropping low.

  “Near. Many eos. Distracting.”

  “Well, we should help you then. We can’t go anywhere without it.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Go home.”

  “What? Why?” I turned around.

  “Danger.” He huffed. “Death.”

  I narrowed my eyes trying to decipher what he said.

  “Do you believe that our death awaits us further north?” Nostradamus questioned.

  Fenris nodded. “Eos are many. United.” He used his claws to show what he was saying. “They will kill and eat you.”

  “So, we can’t go with you because of how dangerous it is, but it’s perfectly okay for you to go out there alone?” I put my hands on my hips.

  He seemed surprised. “Yes!” He put a hand to his chest. “I am valkyrie. Killing eos means I evolve. I grow stronger.”

  “You don’t have to do it alone. I don’t know if Tyr made you charge in without backup, but that’s not how the Syndicate works.” I pointed at him.

  “Lieutenant Jackal is right, Fenris.” Nostradamus chimed in. “We’re stronger if we’re together. Let us help you.”

  “Must not see me fight.” His voice was low. Ears drooped down, tail hung limp. I couldn’t understand why that wolf was trying to be secretive. Maybe Nostradamus was correct in saying he was embarrassed. Maybe not insecure about himself, but how we thought about him. I only thought about how abused he had been. Belittled and treated like an unwanted pest.

  “Are you afraid of what we’ll think of you if we see you out there?” I raised a brow. “You think I’ll think less of you?” I took a breath. Winced at the pain in my chest. “Stop fucking hiding and just show us what you really are. You’re a soldier. Be one.”

  “I hate agreeing with a human,” Yaaranam sighed. “Focus on the mission at hand, not about those around you. What they think doesn’t matter as long as you’re doing what you believe is right.”

  Nostradamus nodded, displaying a smiling face.

  “Let us help, Fen.” I said.

  He grumbled.

  “As you wish.”

  “It’s settled! Load up, boys!” I turned around and headed for the truck. Yaaranam was already getting in the gunner’s seat.

  I stopped at the door to make sure Fenris wasn’t going to try to run off on us. I watched him debate the idea of loading himself up. Like Yaaranam, he was too big to fit in the back seat. So, he went for the bed. One foot in. The entire truck started to drop down where his weight rested.

  “Wait, wait!” I ran over to him. “This thing maxes out at seven hundred.”

  “I can walk.” He perked up.

  “Are you sure? Can you keep up?”

  “More.”

  “All right. Lead the way.”

  He poked his claw into the mask. “Protect?”

  “Yeah, let’s me breathe when in your smoke.”

  He poked it again and ran his claw up my face.

  “Want me to wear it?”

  “Yes. Wear.” He nodded.

  I pulled the mask up over my face and motioned of Yaaranam to do it as well.

  I got into the driver’s seat and shut the door. Fenris headed to the front, a couple meters ahead where he looked back at me, waiting for the signal to go.

  I grabbed the receiver for the radio and held down the button to speak.

  “Captain Reaper, this is Lieutenant Jackal.” Professional like I had always done it this way. “Do you read me?”

  No answer.

  “Captain Reaper, do you read me? This is Lieutenant Jackal.”

  “Goddamn it, Jack!” Reaper crackled over the radio. “Where the fuck have you been and why haven’t you answered?!”

  I grinned.

  “I did not copy that, Captain. Can you read me?”

  There was a moment of silence before he answered. I could practically feel the anger seething from him.

  “Yes, Lieutenant Jackal. I copy you. Now where have you been? Have you found Fenris?”

  “That’s affirmative. Target is captured and leashed.”

  “Jesus Christ, Jack, can we drop the act for five seconds?”

  “Hey, look, it’s been a stressful morning. I haven’t had my coffee, nor have I eaten since breakfast yesterday and I’ve already nearly been eaten by two gigantic fire-breathing, wingless fucking dragons that chased me for five fucking miles. Then I nearly got fuckin’ eaten by Fenris because we snuck up on him. It’s been a pretty rough day. How has your day been, Captain?”

  “I may kill you when I see you again.”

  “Ooh, baby, I like that. Keep talking dirty.”

  “Jack!”

  I laughed.

  “For fuck’s sake. We’re not kids anymore.”

  “Come on, you laughed.”

  “No!” He huffed. “Fuckin’ no. You just told me you nearly died twice and you’ve been gone for three hours.”

  “Can’t really say you’re alive until you’ve nearly died, right? Look, anyway, Fenris has the scent for that artifact he wants. He’s gonna lead us there. He says it’s gonna be dangerous and a lot of eos.”

  “Alright. You can wait where you are. I’ll get the convoy set up and we’ll be there in four hours.”

  “I don’t think Fen is gonna wait that long. He’s eager to go.”

  “Make him wait. He’s part of the Syndicate, we do this my way.”

  “I don’t think he’s listening.”

  “Jackal, I swear.”

  “I’ll have Nostra send you our coordinates.” I hung the receiver up and quickly hit the mute button.

  FORTY-FIVE

  I imagined Reaper wanted to tear my head off after that call. I wasn't about to wait four hours for back up. I knew Fenris wouldn't wait either.

  "You sure this is a good idea? Yaaranam asked.

  "Naw. This is bad." I answered. With a breath, I mumbled, "if Spec can do it, then we can too."

  I waved at Fenris and he turned around. Black smoke rolled down from his shoulders, coating the ground a few feet in either direction. He took off, half invisible in all of the smoke. We followed him, hanging back a few meters to avoid running him over.

  He must have been seeing how fast we could go. His brisk jog increased in speed over a few minutes until we were maxed out at fifty miles an hour, and he...well, he disappeared entirely in the smoke.

  "Is there anything this guy can't do?" I asked no one.

  "He's gone. The trail keeps going, but he's so far away." Yaaranam said.

  "I didn't think anything could outrun a vehicle."

&nb
sp; "This bucket of bolts is slower than our cheapest truck."

  "Oh, shut up. This truck is top of the line."

  "Top of the line in the scrapyard?"

  "Top in kicking your fucking ass."

  Nostradamus displayed a red hexagon. "Can't we all just get along? We're friends!"

  "I ain't friends with a raven."

  "I have a name."

  "Yeah. It's raven."

  "Fuck you."

  We had gone further up the mountain before going down the other side. We dipped into a valley lined on either side with cliffs a thousand feet high. As we came down into the valley, we caught sight of waterfalls, and a series of rivers and streams. Some of the trees stretched taller than the cliffs.

  Fenris stopped high on our hill to howl. Creatures flew into the sky. No one responded.

  He looked to make sure we were still there and continued at our full speed.

  The terrain was rough, but nothing catastrophic. The truck could handle it, even with the damage it had from the last chase.

  I didn't realize how safe it felt knowing Fenris was with us. I must have been terrified earlier. My hands were steady. My mind clear. We looked out for anything that would want to try to eat us. Nothing was there. Not that we saw. That howl must have scared them all off.

  An incline was covered in a stone outcrop outfitted with a stream that fed downhill into a pond and a river that flowed down the valley. We were in the open where it was easier to maneuver.

  The truck took an impact on the side that sent it rolling down the hill. I didn't see what happened. I was focused on Fenris up ahead. No one called out.

  Nostradamus screamed the entire time. Yaaranam's cry of shock faded away and I assume she had been sent flying out of the gunner’s seat. At least I hoped that was what happened because the truck hit the ground on the driver's side, then the roof, to the passenger side, back to the wheels, and repeated until landing once more on my side in the water.

  Me and Nostradamus were tangled up against the doors. He had ended up half way in the back seats and I was stuck under his ass against the driver's door. Dazed and confused, we laid there for a few moments.