Sinners' Kingdom #1: The Book of Lust (Complete)

10

After six hours of on-and-off negotiation — wheedling — Juliet got our guy. Although we couldn't go to see him, both because of the awful snowstorm still howling and also the six hours' driving distance, he had a mobile number we could call right away. Well, not his mobile number, but that of Juliet's friend, who was the guy's probation officer and keeping him under strict watch for the next four days, which worked out perfectly for us. Or so Juliet said.

"So let me get this straight. We're going to be chatting up a guy who tried to blow up a witch academy. We're also going to hope he's truthful, helpful, and won't blab about this to anyone after we're done talking."

"Keep an open mind. It's not as bad as it seems. At least he didn't try to destroy the academy with anyone in it." Juliet had brought us back to the living room, and we placed the books we had taken from the library on the floor by the table. On the table itself was nothing, an empty surface we could work with. "It might not seem promising, but he's an intelligent man who managed to almost get away with a crime few can even hope to plot, and he did it all on his own. He's talented and knowledgeable, and most importantly, a former Faustian who used to have plenty of contacts in the movement until two weeks ago. That was when he was snatched up by the Coven's Enforcers. We're lucky to catch him right before he's officially imprisoned."

"I just don't see why he would want to help us. He's already sentenced. He's going to the Boat no matter what he tells us, so worst case scenario, he could lie and make my situation even worse. And again, what's stopping him from spilling the beans to the Coven the second we get off the phone? Your friend's an Enforcer who reports directly to them, too. Do you really trust them?"

"Not even a little. Within twenty-four hours, my friend will absolutely buckle and tell all to the Coven. Unless, of course, he's on the edge of his seat hoping for more gossip. He won't expose us if he thinks there's more to gain."

"Wow."

"Yes, he doesn't know how to keep a secret. I'll string him along until it's too late for him to back out. By the end, he won't be able to expose us, or else he'll be implicated as an accomplice for hiding the truth for so long. As for the prisoner..." Juliet settled back on the armchair, phone in hand. "I'll advocate for his early release on good behavior, or at least house arrest in my home where he'll have far better living conditions. If he's particularly useful, I'll even offer him a permanent job. He's in the Boat for five years otherwise, so I'm sure he'll be more than cooperative. Besides, even if he rejects my offer and serves his whole sentence, he'll never be able to get a job anywhere in the witch community afterward. He'll have even worse luck trying to assimilate back into human society after disappearing for five years."

True. Even a six month gap in work history could screw someone over. Five years? And all the bills he failed to pay in the meantime? He was so dead. There was no interviewer in the country that wouldn't look at him sideways, and goodbye credit score.

"For the record, I'm still skeptical," I said.

"Duly noted. But we're playing this by ear, so some skepticism is par for the course. Let's see if we can prove it wrong."

Optimistic, but what choice did I have except to take my chances? Sit around and hope someone came riding up to save me on a white horse?

"All right. I'm ready."

***

The prisoner's name was Beau. He took great care in spelling it out and making sure we mistake it for 'Bo' when we had exactly zero interest in the subject. His jailer, Juliet's friend by the name of Lewiston, was even more obnoxious.

"After all I've done for you, and after all the risk I'm taking to do this when it could land me in the Boat without a trial, you won't even tell me what's going on..."