two other guards, both witches, jumped up and ran out of the room. “Follow me, Executioner.”
“Thank you.”
I did as he asked, glad that Raphael fell into step right behind me. If we continued to show a united front, we were less likely to find trouble. Not that I really expected trouble in the prison, but that was what got me into trouble only the evening prior. I had forgotten to stay paranoid. Paranoia kept me alive.
“Stay here,” I said to my quasi-partner once we reached the door to an interview room. “These are going to be simple conversations. No need to scare these guys. I can do that well enough.”
“I’ll be watching.” He pointed to another door, and I was impressed that he had guessed it led to the viewing area. He went inside while I stood at the door.
Taking a deep breath, I waved Cael away, and the fae backed off. I heard shuffling on the other side and knew the first inmate was there. As an Executioner, interviews weren’t part of my job description. Generally, I was the last person who asked questions. I just killed them at the end.
It was a different set of skills that prepared me for walking into that room. When Hisao trained me, he taught me everything. From interviews to torture, he taught me how to work people.
I was never very good at them. Let’s hope I don’t embarrass him today.
There was a formality about an interrogation room I hadn’t been prepared for. When I walked in, the prisoner in the chair paled. He yanked at the chains holding his wrists to the table. I heard the long chains between his feet skid across the concrete floor. This wasn’t like getting pissy with Korey or casually talking to the guards.
This man thought I was there to kill him, or at least looking for a reason to.
“Good morning,” I greeted, taking a seat across from him. “I’m Executioner Sahni.”
“Yeah, I know who you are,” he said anxiously, shifting around in his seat. I could smell the human in him, touched with magic—a witch but a weak one. Whatever he was in for was probably something stupid. The witches used the prison more than most, trying to uphold human laws as well as supernatural with their kind. “What do you want?”
“I want to ask about yesterday’s breach.”
“I didn’t know anything about it.” His eyes flicked around the room, unable to meet my gaze. It wasn’t because my snake eyes were out. I was too controlled over my magic for that, unlike many other animalistic supernaturals. My eyes were a nice, very dark, warm brown. There should be no reason he couldn’t look me in the eye.
“Please don’t lie to me,” I said, trying to keep my patience. I was beginning to feel like everyone was developing that bad habit, and I needed to nip it in the bud. “Lying to a representative of the Tribunal is a good way to get killed, usually by pissing off the person being lied to.” I was getting really antsy after the long night and morning I’d had.
“Look.” He leaned forward, his eyes now locking with mine. “I’m not lying to you. I had no idea anything was happening. The bomb went off, our doors opened. Other than that, it was a normal fucking night with you walking through like you own the place. I mean, you kind of do, huh? I’ve only been here a year, ya know? I’ve never seen you around, but others have. They made their jokes, and I bet they pissed you off, but I’m only in here for a five-year sentence. That’s it. I just wanted to do my time. Didn’t they tell you? I never even left my cell. I didn’t want to get fucking killed. I don’t want to get killed now.”
“If you haven’t done anything wrong, why would I kill you? I do have a set of standards, you know.” I leaned back, giving him a hard look.
He shrugged. “Everyone says you’ll kill anyone who looks at you funny. Even the guards say, ‘Don’t talk to the Executioner or she’ll kill you.’” He was sweating now, his eyes flicking around again. His palms seemed sweaty, too, as he rubbed his hands together. His feet moved more.
“It’s not illegal to talk to me,” I said softly, letting that sink in. “Who told you that? Specifically?”
He shrugged again. “I’ve heard it a few times from different people. I never really…paid attention.”