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

didn't even know what alcohol was! Fuck, he didn't know much of anything at all. He had the knowledge of a five-year-old to everyday life. I almost hated the way he talked. He misused words, or didn't even use many at all. I wasn't sure if I should have felt pity or not.

"I promise you, Fen, it is just water with a few flavors. It'll help me get to work." I threw myself onto the couch, gripping onto a cushion to keep me down.

“No work. Rest.”

At this rate, I was groaning more than talking.

“Don’t you want to clear your name? They think you murdered that guy!”

“No.”

“What? What do you mean?!”

“Normal.”

“What?”

I could not even finish the thought. There was a knock at the door, then it slid open. Great. That was probably Reaper coming to bitch at me again for just sitting around. What did he expect me to do? I was locked up in my room just to keep Fenris out of the way! I was a prisoner!

“Oh, my!” Gasped a woman.

I sat up sharply.

“C-could you put some pants on, please?” Reynolds coughed into her hand.

“H-hey! What the hell?!” I was still naked? I reached down to cover myself only to find I was in fact covered with my underwear. Thank god for that.

“I mean, I am your doctor, but I’m not here for a physical!”

“Why are you just barging in my room?”

“Do you normally hang out in your briefs with company? Oh, coffee? Just for me? Why thank you so much! I could use another cup!”

I could hear her slurping it down. My stomach grumbled. With another groan, I threw myself back down onto the couch.

“Th-that was mine…!”

“I was up all night preparing something for us to do together, Fenris!”

I pushed from the couch to head into the bedroom. My pants were floating around here somewhere.

“Come sit down! Er, wait, probably not here! Yes, there is fine. Here’s a pen...Oh, it may be too small.... I have a lot of paperwork here I need your help with. I just need you to answer all of the questions truthfully.”

What the hell was she having him do? I could not imagine this was as innocent as it seemed. Paperwork was a strange request for anyone, let alone Fenris. I found my pants somewhere around the ceiling. I think. I stopped trying to figure it all out a long time ago. Pants on, I kicked off the wall to head through the door. I was still fiddling with the pants when my head thumped into the wall. I felt around and pulled myself slowly to the door.

“Are you trying to pawn your work off on someone else?” I asked.

“What? No! I genuinely need his assistance!”

I headed for the kitchen. Maybe with that wolf distracted, I could sneak a cup of coffee.

“I’m sure you do, doc.” I grinned.

“Something wrong?”

“Fenris…” Fenris started. “No write.” The paper rustled. “No read.”

“No? Why not?”

“Can... not.” He seemed unsure of the word choice.

“You can’t read, or write?” I called out from the kitchen.

“Yes.”

“What?!” Reynolds gasped. “That must not be true!”

“Could!” Fenris sang. “When pup. Learned... Small. Not time.”

I heard the pen scribbling away on a clipboard. Weird how I could hear it from across the room. I don’t think I ever could before, especially with the old coffee pot brewing.

“I’m not sure I understand.” Reynolds said softly.

“He used to read and write when he was a kid, but didn’t have a lot of time.” I answered her. I felt for the spout of the pot with my finger. This was a horrible idea. The spot reacted to pressure. When I put my finger to the end of it, it opened up, suctioning the tip of my finger to it while it dispensed the scalding hot coffee. I snapped away from it quick enough to have a minor burn.

“Wow. You really do understand him, huh?”

“I’m... Not really sure how. It’s like I can hear his voice in my head.”

“Interesting….” More scribbling.

This time I used the straw of the cup to find the spout. Success!

“Fenris, why don’t I read for you?”

He must have agreed. Reynolds squealed with joy. Then began the long and arduous process of her reading the question, which was by no means a typical worksheet. At first it felt like a personality quiz with the deeply intimate questions. It delved into basic maths, skills, and book smarts. Fenris rarely hesitated with the more intimate answers, falling completely silent when not wanting to give an answer. In that case, Reynolds skipped ahead without pestering.

We floated around the room aimlessly for probably an hour. A shift in the air caught my attention. Something didn’t seem right. Somehow, I could feel how Fenris noticed it, too. Like a vibrating rope between us, I understood the unspoken.

A siren blared right over head. I could almost picture the light flashing, the entire room lit in its crimson glow. The horn was for combat stations. I headed for the door. My body acted on its own. We drilled this procedure a thousand times. Finally, we were using it!

I hit the button to open the door.

Before I could get out, something metallic pressed into my shoulder.

“Danger.” Fenris growled.

“I know.” I said. “That’s why we have to go.”

“Weak.”

“Still useful.”

“No.”

“Fenris, I swear to fuckin’ God, if you don’t let me go right now, I’ll figure out something horrible to do to you that’ll make you think twice about trying this bullshit again!”

He was quiet for a minute. Then let go. I gently pushed away, albeit a little frightened.

I wasn’t sure what use I could be. I was determined to try.

"Hold your ground!" Reaper ordered. He was at the back, rifle at the ready. Other soldiers lined up on either side of the wall towards the bay door.

Most were crouched down on a knee, others laid down. Those standing were using the kneeling and the corners as cover. Each one had a foot, or a hand tucked around one of the many bars to keep them in