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

She predicted he would have moved further to the side. Humans were weak, frail creatures and usually could not take even half the strength of an eldiravan. Yet Jackal withstood. He pulled the knife from his hip. Went for the soft spot of the armor right under her arm. Her back to him still, he should have been able to dig the knife in.

The rifle was pushed backwards, twisted. The knife plunged between the rails first. She twisted the rifle further. The knife was taken from him and tossed into the air above them.

Jackal grabbed the back of her armor between the shoulders and yanked her back and down so her spine cracked into his knee. With her down lower, he slipped his arm under her chin between the neck guards.

The knife plunged down, blade first.

She pulled one way. He pulled the other.

Thrusters on.

The eldiravan kicked up. She snatched the knife from the air and flipped herself up and over Jackal, slipping out of his arm. She jabbed the handle into his side. Spun the knife around and plunged it down to his chest.

He grabbed her hand and wrist and shoved. He could hear her suit whirring, the exoskeleton adding more power to her raw strength.

While Jackal struggled to keep the knife out of his chest, Mjolnir finally got back to his feet. He charged head first towards them.

Like a skilled matador, the eldiravan stepped off to the side, bringing Jackal with her. She pulled the knife from him and stabbed it into Mjolnir’s arm.

She kicked Jackal to the ground and scooped up the rifle she dropped. As he recovered, she shot him right in the chest. His body recoiled, straight back to the ground.

Mjolnir came for her again, the knife stuck in his armor.

Once more she stepped to the side, ducked under his arm. She pulled the knife from his shoulder as he slid right by. She turned and chucked the knife right at him. It cracked through the helmet dead center of the head. Mjolnir stumbled back, his head leaning much further.

Jackal opened his eyes with a sharp gasp. He felt around his chest, finding the hole the bullet had sunk in. Thank god for a chest plate.

Fenris stepped over him, looking down at him curiously.

“Tell me it’s over.”

It shook its head.

“Where have you been?!”

“Watching.”

“Fuckin’ stop her!” he sat himself up.

Mjolnir was still fighting, trying to wrestle the woman down. Fenris watched for a moment more, before it approached.

Catching the sight of the incoming wolf, Mjolnir pulled on the eldiravan to keep her back to it. It smacked her across the head, the force knocking her straight to the ground. When she tried to get herself up, Fenris stepped on her back.

She cursed. Dug her fingers into the dirt.

Panting, Mjolnir took a step back.

“It’s over.” He breathed.

“Fuck you.” She spat. “Fuck! How much do you weigh?!”

“Surrender.” Mjolnir held the side of his head.

“Kill me!”

Fenris glanced over to the approaching Jackal. Leaned down. Its jaws cracked as they separated. All of those wicked, twisted teeth closed around the eldiravan’s head. It didn’t look like it gave much pressure before the teeth started to crack the armor.

“Don’t kill her!” Jackal coughed. He looked up to Mjolnir. “What the fuck happened to you?”

“I decided I wanted to be a unicorn.” He pointed up to the knife still sticking out of his helmet.

Jackal’s lips pursed, biting back a chuckle.

She continued to struggle beneath the weight of the wolf. Even as her visor cracked and the teeth sunk in further, she didn’t give up.

“Why didn’t we start it off like this?” Mjolnir asked. “This would have been much quicker.”

Jackal knelt down in front of her, putting his cheek to his knuckles.

“Are you done yet?”

Fenris gave a gentle pull to her neck, making her cry out.

“Okay! Just stop that stupid dog!”

Its jaws pulled apart. Head lifted up, gave a shake.

Mjolnir grabbed the steel handcuffs from his waistband. One clipped around one wrist, he pulled her arms behind her.

Through the roar of thunder came the sound of an engine. Fire burst out from over the rock. The shuttle lowered to hover mere feet from the ground. The side door swung up and Reaper was hanging onto the side.

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” He waved his arm.

THIRTY-TWO

The White Death had been stripped of her armor and all weapons. Her hands cuffed behind her, she was left in a holding cell down in the brig. A bright white light was on at all times, shining down in her cell. It kept her awake at night. All she could do was sit there on the bench and wait. No point in trying to talk to humans. They were just as likely to kill her as turn her in.

She figured this was the end of the line for her. What a disappointment. She hoped to go out more honorably than this. She hit the back of her head against the wall. Time went slow for her. She dozed off. Woke up. Dozed off again. Her stomach growled and twisted. The next time she opened her eyes, there was a man sitting in front of the cell, a knife in his hands. He twisted the tip of the blade against his finger.

“The fuck you want?” She asked, lifting her chin up.

“Just watching.” Jackal answered.

“Bitter about losing?”

“I didn’t lose.” He lazily pointed the knife at her. “Thought that was pretty clear.”

She laughed. “You definitely lost.” She kicked her feet out and leaned back against the wall. This cell was surprisingly roomy despite being designed for a much smaller species. It even came with a toilet off to the side.

“I’d kick your ass even with my hands tied behind my back.” Her words took on a smug tone.

“Talking pretty big for someone behind bars.”

“I’m here because I want to be.”

Jackal laughed.

“Didn’t think you ravens had a sense of humor.”

“Liam?” Called a voice out of sight.

Jackal looked to the source.

“Liam, what are you doing in here?” Reaper approached.

“Just keeping