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

“I take it you will lead the way?” Reaper asked.

“Yes. Allow me and Fenris to take the first position together.”

“Oh, Yaara, check Charlie down there; brought your armor.”

“Wow, really? Thank you, Captain!” She ran down the line of trucks.

“Hey!” Mjolnir called, “This is a great reunion, but my finger trigger is starting to hurt!”

“We’re leaving now.” Reaper stepped back over to the lead vehicle to get into the passenger seat.

Vactubstein went for his mount, and the rest of us got in my truck and skipped the line in front of Reaper. Yaaranam, once in her armor, sat down in the gunner’s seat, equipped with a much larger flamethrower. Fenris waited a few meters in front of us for Vactubstein to join him.

Tunaaka snorted at the wolf, who snapped its teeth in reply.

FORTY-SIX

Fenris and Vactubstein took off at top speed right off the bat. Jackal hit the pedal hard to keep up, nearly spinning out across the gravel. Tunaaka, the geihildra, was not as fast as Fenris, nor was it as fast as the trucks. The wolf ran far ahead, becoming a dot on the horizon. It frequently stopped to keep an eye on the convoy and the surrounding area.

Topped at only 30 miles an hour, it would take them the better part of the day to reach the fjord. By time they got there Fenris was crouched on all fours at the cliff edge. It peered down the few thousand feet to the ground below, watching the crowd of eos.

Tunaaka, panting and huffing joined it. Vactubstein leaned over the beast's neck to better see what was happening below.

The trucks came to a stop several meters back, with a few of the soldiers jumping out.

Reaper and Jackal joined Fenris and Vactubstein at the edge.

"How's it looking? Reaper asked.

Vactubstein held up a finger to hush him.

Silence.

There were probably four hundred eos down there, gathered together and facing one of the stone walls that made up the fjord. There was a cavern open there with a few streams branched from the ocean fed lake flowing inside.

For there to be so many wild animals gathered together, the silence was unbearable. A few of the eos messed with one another. These were the youngest of them; only hatchlings. The largest of the beasts, all with sharp, flesh tearing teeth had plenty of room around them since their smaller counterparts cleared out from under them. The bats from before were clung to the cliff faces, obnoxiously big heads aimed down towards the cavern.

The skaginvar from earlier that managed to escape with its throat torn out was near the front of the line, head bowed low. They recognized the mangled face.

Reaper had even noticed the beasts that stalled him in the woods. Alive and well among the front lines. They were sat upon a large boulder, their attention on that cave.

"Something is speaking." Vactubstein whispered, letting his hands rest in his lap.

Fenris dug its claws into the edge of the cliff leaning most of its frame off it. Its head tilted side to side.

Reaper watched the wolf's ears twist and turn with each pull of the neck. It, too, was mesmerized by the unheard voice. When he looked to check on Jackal, he was also paying attention. How could he hear it, but Reaper not? A look over the shoulder showed confusion from the others waiting at the trucks. Eager to head down and slay dragons.

We mustn't let that beast near our treasure. A disembodied voice roared. It was like a shriek through a megaphone. The kind of sound that sent chills down their spines.

It is one valkyrie! We are many! The voice continued.

Whoever brings me its head will receive the blessing of the Great Dragon! Eternal power, more than you could dream. You will never hunger again!

The largest of the eos roared as loud as their lungs allowed. The entire fjord erupted in a series of hollow shrieks and howls as if the dead were rising up to wreak havoc across the world.

"God save us." Reaper spoke in a quiet tone.

"The great dragon? Who could that be?" Vactubstein looked to Fenris.

The valkyrie's jaw clattered uncontrollably. Claws repeatedly dug in and out of the dirt. That black smog of khexide fell from its mouth like drool.

Jackal was frozen in place, crouched down next to Fenris. His eyes were wide open. He couldn't believe he heard an eos talk. What did it mean by eternal power? A great dragon? Why did that name put a dagger in his spine? He doubted himself; he wouldn't be able to help at all. Not against these monsters.

"If we find their alpha, their leader, we should be able to end the battle quickly." Vactubstein stated, looking at Reaper. "I fear they may focus your wolf friend. They want his head."

"They've got another thing coming." Reaper said. His heart was already pounding the inside of his rib cage. He thought about the past. His previous achievements in war and the game he and Fenris played. That was the valkyrie attempting to teach him about the tactics of the eos. Vactubstein was right. The alphas were key. Prove your strength. They only listen to those that are more powerful than them.

How powerful would a leader of so many monsters be?

Fenris couldn't wait any longer. The mention of the great dragon made its blood boil with unchecked rage. The chains embedded in its body tightened, only angering it more through the pain.

The wolf leaped off the edge of the cliff.

"Fenris?!" Reaper shouted. He hurried to the edge to watch as the valkyrie seemingly sprouted a third hand far bigger than its own hand to slow its fall by scratching the stone face.

"He is angry." Vactubstein stated. "Let him lead. We will follow him and use him as a distraction."

"He's going in like an idiot." Reaper frowned.

"Have faith, comrade! There is more to him than you know." He pulled the reins to turn Tunaaka.