The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1) by Gwyndolyn Russell (100 best novels of all time .txt) 📗

“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