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

The valkyrie stayed behind for a moment longer.

“Avant-Garde was attacked?” It growled.

“It looks like it. The signal is a few days old, but with some of the ship upgrades we got while we were at Solstice, we’ll be able to make it there in no time.”

Fenris walked out at that with a rough shake of its head.

“Is he okay?” Reaper looked at Reynolds.

“Avant-Garde is where he was born.” She rubbed her arm.

“I don’t fuckin’ get it with him.” Jackal groaned. He snatched a few bottles out of the air. “He keeps trying to help her and she spits in his face. Why the hell does he keep trying?”

Fenris floated across the room, grabbing up bottles as it passed.

“I mean, she’s literally told him a hundred times!” Another bottle. “I’d’ve taken that hint a long time ago with a psycho bitch like that sayin’ it. Back in the war she was great. Loved her then. Now? That ain’t Spartan anymore.”

Fenris clutched a bar on the ceiling. With an arm full of bottles, it inspected one of them.

“What is...love?” It asked before chomping down on the bottle.

Hearing the shattering glass, Jackal looked over. That was not an explanation he ever thought of. He grabbed a bottle from the air and tossed it right at the valkyrie.

“Here!” He called.

Fenris caught the bottle in its mouth, devouring it whole in just a couple of bites.

“I’m not sure I’m the one that can answer that.” He shrugged. “I guess it’s putting someone before yourself. Wanting them to be happy.” He took a breath and tossed another bottle at the valkyrie.

“I honestly know anything because of Reaper and Spec. Sparrow and Ruby.” He hummed. “Maybe it’s trying to better them, protect them even if it hurts you.”

Another bottle tossed.

“Yeah, never been in love. Most people don’t want a street rat.”

“Street rat?” Its head tilted to the side.

“Someone who lives on the street.”

“Jackal lives on ship.”

“Yeah, now.” He groaned loudly. “That’s not the point though! Damn it, don’t make this about me. It’s about Arturo!” He threw another bottle. This was significantly easier than trying to throw them all away. He basically had a living garbage disposal at his call.

“We need to figure out a way to make him forget about Spec.”

Finding a bottle that still had something left in it, Jackal downed it. Tossed the bottle for Fenris to catch.

“Memories hard to.”

“You’re right. Unless we do some serious violations, there’s nothing we can do there. What if we found him a new woman?”

“Purpose?”

“I’m talking to a brick wall, ain’t I?”

“No. Fenris.”

Jackal hung his head.

“You all right?” Jackal asked, floating closer to it.

“Yes.”

“Might sound a little crazy here, but I can feel that you aren’t. You keep looking at the door.”

“Avant-Garde. Soon.”

“You’re really worried, huh?” He gently tossed a bottle up to the valkyrie. “I hate to break it to you, but there’s probably nobody there anymore.”

“How?”

“Spectre attacked that place. She’s not really known for leaving survivors. I doubt there’s going to be much of a base left at all. You saw what she did to Ianisse.”

It was quiet for a moment, its eyes dimming.

Jackal watched it.

“Spectre is sick. Poisoned.” It said.

“I don’t think that applies to her, Fen. She’s...not exactly all flesh and bone these days.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Solstice was surprisingly near Avant-Garde. The base had been built into an asteroid that flew around the Rosette Nebula, usually near its perimeter. At first glance it was easy to overlook the base. The lack of exterior lights kept its dock and entrance silhouetted against the backdrop of swirling star dust.

Reaper made the call for Jackal to get his team ready. Fenris was already at the bay door, impatiently waiting for the ship to dock.

The asteroid itself made the Syndicate appear small. Their four hundred man ship was no match for the thousands of people that must have lived in the base.

Air thrusters activated, the ship came in slow at the far end of the dock. There was nothing to attach the ship to. Through the autopilot system and skilled piloting, Willis kept the ship steady. The door opened.

Fenris was off, walking down the dock before anyone else could join it.

It had already made it to the entrance of the base by time the others got off the Syndicate. The switch for the door failed. Fenris opted for the brute force method.

"Do we have to worry about anything here?" Jackal asked, reaching back to feel the tubing for his oxygen tank.

"I'm not sure." Reaper looked over his shoulder. Reynolds stuck out like a sore thumb. The rest of them wore black and gray on their suits. Different colors for accents and lights, but Reynolds, being a researcher wore stark white. A deep lime green in bold pieces, and matching lights. Her face was also clearly visible when the sun visor was up.

"Stay in the middle to be safe."

Fenris dug its claws into the door, pulling it open. The two halves split only an inch and the valkyrie recoiled. It hissed, arms tight against its sides.

"What's wrong?" Jackal stepped up to it. "Are you hurt?"

Reaper approached. "Mjolnir, give him a hand!" He grabbed Jackal's shoulder to pull him from the door. "I don't know what to expect. Be ready for a fight."

Mjolnir dug his claws into the opening with Fenris and the two pulled in opposite directions. Fenris snapped its jaws, biting back a cry of pain.

When it was open enough, the others slipped through. Mjolnir and Fenris followed. Pulled the door shut.

A red light lit the airlock. Crates and forklifts were scattered around the room. Blood stained the surfaces. Laborers in fluorescent vests were found dead, barely reacting to the slaughter that befell them.

Ruby reached the door first to pressurize the room.

"Life support systems are still functional." He announced, tapping on the console screen. "No contaminates. The air is safe."

Fenris stood in front of the door, rolling its shoulders.

"He's acting weird," Jackal whispered to Reaper.

"He's probably freaking out." Reaper stated.

"Pressurizing." Ruby