Page 38 of Grim Justice

If you could survive Lucifer’s tricks and sign his contract in your blood, you had what it took to become a Reaper. He never got far with those that weren’t tough or brave enough.

I took the turn, riding with Mammoth as the dust kicked up behind us. We left a trail that soon blew in the hot Nevada wind, dissipating as we rode further inside the Great Basin. Around us, cacti and tumbleweed provided the only shade under an unforgiving sun.

I pulled to a stop and cut the engine, swinging a leg over to stand. Pissed and agitated, I needed answers from the one being that was supposed to help us fight our enemies.

“Lucifer!” I hollered. “Where the fuck are you?”

Mammoth arched a brow. “He might take offense to that.”

“He takes offense to everything unless he finds it humorous.”

“Even then,” Mammoth grunted.

“You kept the truth from us!” I shouted. “What the fuck!?”

Lucifer should have told us about Razr. Our Reapers sensed something was off, but we didn’t know the reason. The devil fucking kept us all in the dark, and it didn’t make sense. We were his vessels, his chosen to reap the souls of the wicked and send them to hell. We were the hands of death, molded by Lucifer himself.

“You didn’t want to listen.”

I spun around and stared into his blood-red eyes. “Not true.”

“Yes. I came to your church meeting.” He snickered. “I do love the play on words.”

Mammoth shook his head.

The devil had the worst ADD at times.

“You didn’t tell us shit. I asked,” I reminded him.

“And I offered my assistance.” He shrugged. “You declined.”

Mammoth winced. “He’s not wrong.”

I glared at my V.P.

“You said you didn’t need my help or interference, so I left. Your loss.”

Well, fuck.

“I don’t think you would have told us anyway, am I right?”

Lucifer smiled. “You’ll never know.”

“Coming here was pointless.” I sighed. “I need to get back to The Crossroads.”

“You know, I do appreciate how ruthless and cunning Razr turned out to be. Such a pathetic, sniveling child, and yet hesacrificed his brother without a hint of remorse. How utterly delicious.”

Or barbaric. Selfish. Cruel. I could think of a few other adjectives that worked.

“You are wasting your time with me.” He snapped his fingers and fucking disappeared.

“I really hate that,” Mammoth deadpanned.

“Yeah. Fucker always knows the most annoying moment to do it too.”

We rode back home, approaching the gate as Zane opened it. Beside him, Sid stood as if he were waiting for me.

I parked my bike, rising off the seat to stash my helmet and gloves. Once I had them secured in my saddlebags, I faced Sid. Zane remained at his post.

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