The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1) by Gwyndolyn Russell (e reader txt) 📕

behind her. Shorts and knee high combat boots. A mask like that of a demon’s skull was split into three parts. The eye sockets of the mask were pushed to either side, leaving the muzzle of pointed teeth to cover the lower half of her face. The matching horns stood tall and swooped back into a single elegant curl that ended with the points towards the ceiling.

Eye catching from a distance. Others around the club were visibly distracted by her walking by. Eyes averted from her when her own cyan glowing irises glanced over them.

She headed right for the bar. Pulled herself up into the stool. Her companion sat next to her, the robotic dog sitting beneath her. She didn't even order. The bartender already had a glass poured and ready for her, coupled with a tall, black bottle that read in gold "Black Label." Her companion's drink was ready as well.

Sparrow openly admitted that the woman was something special, but she found herself eyeing her companion who was nearly twice her size! Just as built as her, if not more. Tattoos, a scruffy face and strong jaw. Hair gelled backwards, not long enough to reach his shoulders. An open jacket, skin tight shirt, cargo pants. He, too, had a mask, or rather a two-part helmet of a wolf skull. The jaw was resting against his collar and the upper portion of the skull was against his back. A permanent scowl as if he hated the world. She thought about small talk, but if that was his companion, he was way out of her league.

Ianisse perked up, the bird fluffing its feathers.

"Whoa...you two need to calm down." He said. He could smell their pheromones jumping through the roof. It, for him, was not the most pleasant smell.

Sparrow looked at him confused.

Reaper blatantly stared at the stranger sitting at the bar for a while. His knee bounced. Thoughts raced through his head.

He decided to take the risk. He downed the rest of his drink. Jumped out of his seat. Marched right over to her free side.

"He doesn't stand a chance." Sparrow whispered under her breath.

"She looks like she eats captains for breakfast." Ianisse said.

"Eat him?" Fenris asked.

"It's a metaphor." Sparrow laughed.

"Metaphor?"

"Oh my god, they're talking!" She patted Ianisse's shoulder.

Reaper casually leaned over the bar right next to the woman. Set his empty glass down and waved at the bartender.

She had to take a second look at him. When she did, her scarred lips parted.

He smiled at her.

"Long time no see."

"Would be better if the no see part was still a thing." She sipped on her drink.

"Oh, don't be like that." He turned to face her better. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"You and a hundred others. If you're gonna try to convince me---"

"I know you won't." He cut her off. "Honestly, just wanted to make sure you were all right. You don't pick up anymore. You're impossible to find."

She took a breath, looked to her companion and leaned back.

Reaper got a good look at him now. A middleweight, probably on the higher side. A look on his face like he could set the whole station on fire at a moment's notice.

Reaper cleared his throat and grabbed his freshened drink.

"So, you're a captain now, huh? Must be nice making your own rules."

"It's nothing special. Would rather be making a difference in the field."

"Oh, right." She smiled at her companion, "this is Reaper, we were comrades back in FCW." She said it so casually Reaper almost didn't understand her.

"Phantom." His voice was raspy, guttural. Nearly monotone.

"Phantom…?" Reaper raised a brow. "Wait. Alpha Killer? You made friends with the guy running amok and killing off your guys?"

He didn't even think about what he said until it left his mouth. Christ, don't stab me for that. He thought.

She laughed.

"Y'know the old sayin', enemy of my enemy is my friend, or somethin' like that." She smiled.

"What have you been up to, Spec?"

"Same shit, different day." She answered. "Fight. Run. Fight.” She waved her hand around. “We did discover there’s a planet with intelligent life on it you’d never expect!” She leaned towards him. “Bugs. Fuckin’ massive insects!” She went on to tell the story. A crash landing turned into survival and exploration while they waited for help. Some sort of giant bug that loved to talk.

Reaper couldn’t help but smile the whole time. He missed her. Missed their conversations and the stories she told. She had so many. He loved that he could get her to talk still.

“Anyway, anything new happen for you? New war started yet?” She leaned back with a sigh. “It’s always so boring without war.”

“Actually, yeah, I was wanting to ask you about it.” Reaper scratched his cheek. “Have you heard about valkyries?”

She raised a brow, looked to Phantom, then back to Reaper. “That’s an odd question. It’s something with some old mythos way back when we still used swords and shields. Damn, what era was that…” She thought for a second.

“No, I know what those are. I mean that.” He pointed over his shoulder.

“That weird fuckin’ wolf you got over there? Wait. Is that normal?” She looked at her glass. “Thought maybe something with the scotch.”

“Hey, Captain.” Came a voice.

They looked over to find Jackal gripping Reaper’s shoulder. He grinned.

“I wanted to thank you for earlier. Really saved my ass back there. How’s your arm doing?”

Reaper’s brow narrowed momentarily. Then he grinned as well.

“Wow!” Spectre leaned over the bar counter. “You got him out of some shit? I guess nothing ever really changes!”

Jackal’s lips pursed as he looked over to the woman. His face contorted in confusion, thought, then realization.

“Spec?!”

“Good to see you, too, bro’!”

“Wow. Whoa…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re actually here. I mean, you’re alive. Wow. Look good, too!”

“Yeah, a lot of mods you need to see sometime.” Her fingers bent into the shape of a gun, which she pointed at her head.

“If you don’t bail early morning, we could head into the training room.” He