Page 35 of Reluctant Rebel

Jinx picked up the heavy volume, slamming it down on the table. She really did not want to think about what Mikhail was packing between his manly thighs. Her night had already been spent dreaming about it, and it was too tempting to drop to her knees and find out if her dreams were accurate. “We, as in Eric and I.” She explained about the missing pages before revealing, “The Founding Fathers aren’t just the progenitors of the seven racesphysically. They’re also the wellspring of thesouls.”

“I don’t understand,” Sabre said, studying the book intently. She juggled what looked like a giant pearl between her hands. Jinx had no idea what that was about and didn’t intend to ask.

“For each species to continue, a blooded relative of the forebearer must live. The bloodline links them directly to the soul source,” Jinx clarified. “No more bloodline means no more souls.”

“The soul has a body, not the other way around,” Mikhail breathed before swearing ripely. “Fucking Loki!”

“Loki told you about this?” Eric asked hopefully. “The Heavens are helping?”

Mikhail shook his head. “No. Loki was ambiguous, confusing, and maddening as always. But I do believe this is what he was alluding to.”

“I’m still not following,” Sabre conceded, looking peeved.

Jinx turned the page back, pointing to the first paragraph. “This book basically says that souls are finite. They need an origin point, which is the Founding Fathers. And they need an anchor, which is the descendants. Without both of those things, a soul simply ceases to exist. No more going to Heaven. No more pit stops in Hell. No more reincarnation or second chances. Just … nothing.”

“So, if all the dragons are killed from the original line, for example,” Sabre said slowly, “no new dragons will be born because there will be no new dragonsouls. Dragons would just become extinct?”

Jinx nodded fervently, her pulse pounding once again with the implications. “Yes. And not just dragons. Every other being in Purgatory. Not to mention the humans on Earth. They sprouted from the Forefathers as well.”

“We’re fucked,” Sabre proclaimed loudly.

Jinx shared an amused look with Eric. “That’s what we said.”

“Why would Z want to eradicate all supernatural beings? And humans? If he did that, who would he rule?” Mikhail asked. The poor man looked devastated.

“I haven’t figured that part out yet,” Jinx said, closing the book decisively. “But I will.” Her tiger had the scent, and there would be no stopping her now.

13

Jinx loved the forbidden forest. The dense canopy of ancient trees blocked out most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor in deep shadows. She padded silently through the underbrush, her tiger form blending with the dappled darkness. Her whiskers twitched, catching the scents of moss, decay, and magic.

Ethereal wisps of mist curled around gnarled tree trunks, their tendrils reaching out as if to caress her striped fur. She revelled in the cool touch. Here, in the forest, she could breathe freely and think without the constant clamour of her pesky human thoughts. But in the next moment, she contemplated life’s very meaning. A soul was not the eternal, indestructible essence she always believed it to be.

They were fragile, fleeting things, as mortal as our physical bodies, Jinx mused, earning an irritated chuff from the tiger. She quickly apologised. She was supposed to be chillin’.

The tiger’s bi-coloured eyes gleamed as she emerged into a clearing, her senses alert for any sign of danger. But all was calm and peaceful; the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. She padded further into the clearing, drawn to a large tree at its centre. As she approached, Jinx noticedthat the tree seemed to emanate a faint glow, its gnarled roots snaking out in all directions. Curiosity piqued, she cautiously circled around it, sniffing and inspecting every inch. But there was nothing particularly remarkable about the tree itself.

Just as she was about to turn away, a whisper in the wind caught her attention. She froze in place as she listened intently, her ears swivelling to catch the sound. It seemed to be coming from the tree itself, a faint cry that tugged at her heartstrings. Without hesitation, she leapt up onto one of the lower branches, her muscles rippling beneath her fur as she climbed higher.

She spotted a small bird nestled in the branches as she reached the top. It had soft, downy feathers in shades of red and bronze. Jinx opened her mouth wide, tasting the scents in the air. The tiny bird carried a faint smell of rain and earth, its ruffled feathers wet as if from a recent shower, and it uttered another desperate cry as Jinx approached. Instead of seeing dinner, the tiger's heart swelled with compassion. She gently nudged the bird with her head, coaxing it from its branch and onto her back. The bird chirped gratefully, completely unafraid, and snuggled into Jinx's warm fur as she descended from the tree.

She set the bird down carefully on a soft patch of grass and watched as it fluffed its feathers and preened itself back to dryness. She made herself comfortable, and the bird cocked its head curiously before bursting into song, filling the clearing with melodious notes that lifted Jinx's spirits. Eventually, the bird finished its song and hopped onto Jinx's paw before taking flight and disappearing into the trees.

With a contented sigh, Jinx lumbered to her feet and turned to make her way back through the forest. Her little feathered friend had given her the brain break she so desperately needed. Having spent the past week further researching the history of Purgatory, Earth, Heaven, and Hell, she felt like she neededto take a steel brush to her mind. Preternaturals were vicious bastards, and humans were somehow worse. Then there was the whole coming to terms with one’s own mortality thing. Not to mention being biologically and spiritually linked to a hot demon king that could never be hers. It was a lot.

They hadn’t discovered anything further. Nothing to tell themwhyZ was killing off members of the founding families. However, they were now positive that he was. Lucifer confirmed that the influx of human souls was from one very special bloodline. The thought of Heaven and Hell running out of souls and possible species extinction was wild. Everyone, including Phaedra, Mercy, and a big portion of the Horde, had been working nonstop to locate Z. But the skinwalker was proving too elusive. It was taking a toll on both Brax and Mikhail, and it pained Jinx to see it.

Just as she was about to shift and pull her clothes back on where they rested on the ground near a large boulder, another sound met her ears from deeper within the trees. Without hesitation, she ran towards the sound. As she neared, it grew louder, transforming into a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers down her spine. She crouched low, muscles tensing beneath her striped coat, ready to spring into action. A pair of glowing eyes emerged between the twisted trunks of two ancient oaks, followed by the massive, shadowy form of a hellhound.

Jinx relaxed slightly as recognition dawned. It was Styx. That wasn’t a shock. The hellhound loved the forest even more than she did. But whatwassurprising was the fact he wasn’t alone. Beside him stood another hellhound, sleek and lithe, with hide the colour of midnight and eyes that shimmered like stars.

Styx's hackles rose, his muscles tensing as he positioned himself between Jinx and his companion. A low growl rumbled from deep within his chest, echoing through the forest like distant thunder. His dark red hide seemed to absorb the scantlight, making him appear as a living shadow. The female hellhound seemed unperturbed by Styx's display. She sat calmly, her starlit eyes fixed on Jinx with curiosity rather than fear.

Jinx immediately shifted, staying crouched and non-threatening. “Easy, boy. It’s just me.”

Styx's protective stance faltered for a moment as he sniffed the air, Jinx’s familiar scent wafting towards him on the breeze. His big body relaxed, and he leapt into her lap, his tongue lolling out in a happy doggy grin. She wrapped her arms around him, scratching behind his ears as he licked her face.

“Hey there, big guy,” she said with a grin. “Who's your friend?”

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