Page 22 of Reaper's Ride
“Reap souls.”
I blinked. “Reap? Like kill people?”
“Ugh.” He sighed and shook his head. “Bad guys. I tag them, and you send them to me. The worst of the worst. Rapists. Sick fucks who touch children. People like that.”
“What do you get out of it?” I really wanted to know. How did the devil thrive on the tainted souls of evil people?
“I devour their pain.”
Woah.
“And there will belotsof pain,” he assured me.
“In hell?”
“Yes.”
Okay then. “What do I get out of it? Why does our club reap souls for you?”
“When you accept my contract, you accept a Reaper.”
A Reaper. Like Rael mentioned? But they didn’t look different. Grim, Rael, Mammoth, and the other members didn’t seem altered or inhuman.
“They share their bodies with one of my Reapers. You get the Reaper and his talents. He’ll give you the ability to hunt down those who have harmed you and your loved ones. An eye for an eye.”
“Wait. Are you saying I can hunt my sister’s attacker and the guy who hit me in the intersection?”
“Good boy. You’re getting it.”
Sarcasm. Wonderful. I spoke that language, so I didn’t take offense. “I like it.”
“Snooki will accept you. Your Reaper is already willing and ready to claim her.”
“I’m not sharing Lainey,” I growled.
“Not your choice. You sign the contract, he becomes part of you.”
“If I refuse?”
“You won’t wake up.” He shrugged. “I’ll find another and harvest your soul. I don’t waste my time.”
Lucifer was serious.
“Your woman won’t resist your Reaper. He will be part of you. As integrated as your arteries and as vital as your heart.”
“My injuries,” I began, ready to negotiate.
“Healed. You’ll be more vigorous than ever. The Reaper will lend his vitality.”
There didn’t appear to be much of a choice. If I wanted to leave, I had to agree. I held out my hand as Lucifer touched the tip of one finger to mine. I felt a tiny prick before blood oozed from the small wound.
Lucifer snapped his fingers, and a parchment appeared. Words glowed in a golden hue, erupting into flames before the charred remnants stained the paper black. It was far too long to read right now, dropping to the ground and rolling toward my feet. Whatever he wrote, the devil protected himself in the language.
I knew I was signing my soul over to him. The only thing that made it easier was knowing I wasn’t alone. Over a dozen others in the Graven Bastards had already done the same.
I pressed my finger to the paper, signing as I accepted my fate.
Lucifer patted my cheek and then slammed his palm into my forehead. The impact shoved my body backward as he waved.
