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

a rogue Alpha acting on his own. He's part of the Black Wolves now."

"That guy with her?"

"Alphas are going AWOL left and right to join them. They're refusing to fight each other and some are refusing to fight all together."

"So, they're making super soldiers to replace the Alphas?"

"That, or to control them better." He let out a breath. "What's bugging me is I can't find anything in the database about it. There's no mention of anything being called valkyrie. For being a business that sells information and technology, they're not sharing much."

"It's probably classified. Without Apex credentials, you'll never legally access the information. Was there anything else she spilled?"

"She did give me a name…." He thought for a second. A flashing icon catching his attention. "Guard...gard? Maybe garm…? She still has that weird accent."

"Speaking of weird." I kicked my feet up on the desk. "Had the doc given you the results of those tests?"

"She’s working on making it a proper paper first, but she told me some of the results. She wants Brannum to look over some answers so he could make a determination on psych."

"Sounds like we still know nothing about these guys."

"There's only one sample." Reaper shrugged. "It seems he's specialized in combat. All other skills leave more to be desired."

He was quiet for a minute focused on his screen.

"What the fuck did you guys do last night?" He asked.

"Huh? I don't remember honestly."

"I bet you don't. What the fuck is this? Over a hundred thousand credits owed to Solstice." He tapped the screen so it would mirror to the desk.

I put my feet down and looked. An entire list of expenses.

"I paid a third last night. You and Mjolnir paid the rest. There's no way we owe anything else. What is with the damaged goods?"

"Did you get in a fight again?" He pointed at me.

"No! I swear!" I wasn't sure if it was the truth or not.

"Damaged tables, chairs, walls...new bar counter….drinks. Wait…" he pointed at one of the lines. "Black Label?"

"That fucking bitch."

"She didn't…." He nearly smacked his face.

"She did." I pointed at the screen. "I don't even drink that old school shit." Another drink was labeled as Jack Daniel's.

"Son of a fucking raven…" Reaper sighed. "Not even a team anymore and I'm still paying for her bullshit."

"That's what happens when you stick your dick in crazy." I jumped up from the seat. "Well, I'll miss you, Captain. Hope you do well in...criminals don't run prisons do they?"

"Shut up…"

TWENTY-FIVE

"You wanted to see us, Lieutenant Jackal?" Ianisse stepped into the office.

Jackal was nowhere to be found. Reaper was sitting on the edge of the desk, arms crossed over his chest. Tongue pressed to the inside of his cheek. He was lost in thought, debating his current choices.

"Captain?" Ianisse questioned. "Where's Jackal?"

"He's getting a few things." He scratched his scruffy cheek. "Listen, this is important." He paused for a minute. "I'm sure this is against some sort of code, but you're our only qualified candidate. Tests show your skills are well earned."

"Are you giving us a mission?" His eyes sparked to life.

"Yes, but don't get too excited." He held a hand up. "I can't express just how dangerous this mission is."

"Well, what is it? What do we need to do?" Ianisse tried to contain himself, but his blackened leaves for clothes quivered.

"You're going to spy on someone. You should have an advantage as you are since no one would expect it. You remember the woman from the bar I talked to?"

"You need us to follow her around?"

The door opened. Jackal came in with a small bag he was still going through.

"Sorry that took longer than expected." He held out a small ear piece complete with a single lens.

Ianisse put it on, clicking the button to activate it.

Jackal gave him the bag.

"Stun grenades. Electro grenades. Oh, and this." He pulled out a thick baton with teeth on the end.

"What's all this for?"

"Ever heard of an alpha hunter?"

"Aren't they some sort of elite human soldier?"

"Better than that. Or well, worse probably."

"Alphas are the most dangerous individuals you'll ever meet. They kill. They don't ask questions. Under no circumstances are you to fight." Reaper added.

"Because she's your girlfriend, or because you don't think I can?"

"Because she will kill you if she sees you." Jackal said. "Now, be advised, none of this will hurt her."

Ianisse stared at them, unable to come up with something.

"No, it's going to piss her off. If she sees you, hit her with that taser and drop those nades. It should give you time to get out of there." Reaper pointed.

"So, what are we doing?"

"Just watch her. Follow her. That device will record everything you see and hear and feed it to us live." Reaper answered.

"Oh, and avoid Mako." Jackal chimed in.

"Mako?"

"Her dog. He’s like a fucking shark. He's the alert. If he suspects anything, you'll be found out. You've got to stay out of his radar."

"You should have something to help mask your presence."

"Yeah, it's in the bag. Forgot to mention that. It's a long lasting EMP shield. It'll cloak you from Mako and anything she may have."

"Check around Solstice first." Reaper instructed. "She likes to drink."

"More than the Lieutenant?"

"Even more."

"Hey, fuck you guys." Jackal blinked. "I don't have a problem."

"All right. We'll head there first." Ianisse took the bag and left.

"Are you sure about this?" Jackal asked. "This ain't right. He's a flower and we have literally, I mean, literally, thrown him to the wolves."

"Sparrow is a klutz. Ruby can't even walk quietly. Mjolnir is too big. She could spot the two of us a mile away." He sighed.

"Fenris?"

"Sure, the big wolf… Machine thing… He glows in the dark and I'm pretty sure he doesn't know the word 'stealth'. He's also too big."

"At least him and Mjolnir could handle a fight."

"Ianisse has killed a dozen people and has never been seen, or caught."

"Until we got put on detail."

"I don't think she'll hurt him. She saw him sitting with us."

"I just want it on record that