White Heart of Justice by Jill Archer Read Free Book Online

to me after my rank match with Vicious. I opened the crisp, white envelope with the gaol seal on it first, unsurprised to see that it was from the Office of the New Babylon Gaol.
    O FFICE OF THE N EW B ABYLON G AOL
A DIKIA, P ATRON D EMON OF A BUSE,
I NJUSTICE, AND O PPRESSION
    Dear Ms. Onyx,
    Our patron has been following your academic career with interest and would like to extend an invitation to you to spend your fourth semester residency working for her at the New Babylon Gaol. A job description and brief list of duties is included within this letter.
    It is our understanding that you may become a contender for the Laurel Crown. Please note that while Adikia has employed several Laureates in the past, winning the Laurel Crown is not a prerequisite for the position. You are our patron’s top choice and the residency offer will be open to you regardless of your final class rank or race placement.
    Working at the New Babylon Gaol is challenging, but fulfilling. Adikia only employs Maegesters who have proven, measurable, powerful magic. There are only a dozen or so demon prisoners at the gaol. (As you are aware, most
rogares
are summarily executed after trial and conviction.)
    Your primary job would be to assist the other Maegesters by keeping the
rogare
prisoners restrained and contained. Resident MITs may also be called upon to search prisoners, supervise hard labor assignments, enforce rules and regulations, and mete out punishment to rule breakers. The specific form of punishment is at the enforcer’s discretion but may include boiling, burning, and flaying. If you accept the offer, you would also have an opportunity to perfect your combat techniques, weapons skills, and use of personal restraints on the
rogare
prisoners.
    Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
    Adikia’s humble and obedient servant,
Volero Travertine, Warden
    Toward the end of Traverine’s letter, I’d started clutching my stomach. Yes, I’d come to terms with who and what I was, my role in Haljan society, and the need for the magical services I could provide. I was a waning magic user. My magic was deadly and my purpose was to be a demon peacekeeper, which sometimes meant I needed to execute
rogare
demons. I didn’t like killing, but I was capable of doing it. Especially if it was to protect innocent people from harm. Torture, however, was another matter entirely. I knew that some sins were so heinous death would be too kind for the perpetrator. But I honestly didn’t think that torture was the answer. I didn’t know what the
rogares
at the New Babylon gaol had done, but I did know that I wanted no part in torturing them.
    O FFICE OF THE P ATRON D EMON
OF R OCKTHORN G ORGE
    Dear Ms. Onyx,
    As you may know, the Demon Council recently decided to build a hydroelectric dam at Rockthorn Gorge, which will supply water from the Acheron to the New Babylon power plant via an underground conduit. Construction was expected to be complete by the end of this year, but the project has suffered numerous setbacks, including several
rogare
attacks and one workforce mutiny. The outpost lord believes you may be in a unique position to lend assistance and would like to extend an invitation to you to spend your fourth semester residency at Rockthorn Gorge.
    He is aware that you may be a contender for the Laurel Crown. He has never employed any Laureates, but would welcome the chance to do so. While he cannot offer the salary, honor, or accommodations that Laureates typically receive, he is hoping you might accept the Rockthorn Gorge residency on a pro bono basis.
    Once the dam is complete, the New Babylon power plant will be able to provide electricity to an additional 10,000 Haljan residents, which will directly and positively impact their standard of living by providing a renewable, reliable, cost-effective energy source for their lighting, heating, and refrigeration needs.
    The outpost lord would