Payable On Death: A Jax Rhodes Novel, Book One (The Jax Rhodes Series 1) by Rachel Rawlings

who betrays God will betray you."
    "And what about me, Thomas? Haven't I betrayed God? I sold my soul. I'd say that makes me a little worse than the Sin Eater."
    I don't know why I felt so compelled to defend Dane. Maybe because, despite how badly our date ended, I couldn't deny my feelings for him. Maybe it was because in some weird way our situations were connected. Or maybe it was because if what Thomas said were true, Dane McDonough could save me from damnation if I died.
    "He isn't as noble as you think. There is, however, a way to salvation and I am offering it to you."
    "You can get me my soul?" I hadn't realized until that second just how much I'd missed it. Sure, I was constantly reminded of its absence, the hollowness I felt every day, and yet faced with the possibility of its return, every cell in my body wept for it.
    "In a manner of speaking."
    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
    Thomas grimaced at my choice of words. "It means that I have a proposition for you."
    "I'm listening." Anything was better than my so-called existence, waiting for the Devil to claim me.
    "Work for us. Work for the righteous and holy and you will be saved."
    "What's the job?" Saved? Whatever the work, I was ready to say yes.
    "You've proven yourself useful when it comes to ridding this world of demons. We'd like you to do that for us. On a full time basis."
    "Like a demon hunter?"
    "You could call it that. We would train you, of course. Provide you with the right tools, weapons, and, of course, words. I must say, however crude it is, what you've picked up along the way from popular culture has worked quite well."
    "And when I die? I'll go to Heaven?"
    "No. You have no soul, child. Heaven is not for the soulless."
    "Then what's the point? I'm literally damned if I do and damned if I don't."
    "Is that all you care about? Saving your own skin? One person in a sea of many. Would you watch the world burn just to save yourself?" The Angel shook his head in disappointment,
    "We weren't talking about the world, Thomas."
    He stood and cleared his throat. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced the room, clearly contemplating exactly what and how much to tell me.
    "There isn't a snowball's chance in Hell of this working if you're not honest with me, Thomas. It's pretty obvious there's a lot you're not telling me. I recommend spilling it, all of it. Or I'm out of here." I still felt like crap on toast. The thought of getting out of bed made me want to hurl. "As soon as I can stand up."
    "What more do you need to know? You will be given the power and the skills to rid the mortal realm of demons. To save your fellow man from the corruption of Hell's beasts."
    "Look around, Tommy. Do you see a whole lot of goodwill toward men in this city?"
    "You would refuse?"
    "‘A pint of blood, a pound of flesh, or even losing your soul. Whether it's for those above or below, the work will take its toll.’"
    "I don't understand."
    "Neither did I, until just now. My mother told me that. Right before she killed herself. Let me know when you're ready to talk."
    Tommy’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, making him look like a fish out of water. I knew there was more he wanted to say, but either couldn’t or wouldn’t. He stormed from the room instead of continuing our conversation, the door a thunder clap behind him as he slammed it shut.
    I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. Recovering from an infection from a demon bite sure took a lot out of a girl.

FOURTEEN
     
     
     
     
    I woke to an eerie silence. Nothing stirred outside the room where Thomas kept me. No light crept in from under the door. Curious to know if I had been left alone, I got out of bed and began exploring the apartment. I moved from room to room, opening cabinets, drawers, and closets. And found nothing.
    Not a scrap of clothing or a single crumb. It was like no one ever lived there. Completely devoid of furniture or any signs of life, I assumed the lack of shackles or