The Gun Witch

  The Judge stood before the tall, arched window of his study, his silhouette framed against the toxic, rich red light of the Red Mesa sunset. The room smelled of polished teak and old paper, an air of quiet civility that was terrifyingly out of place with the venom of his plan.

  “Daddy, do we have to go this route?”

  “We do. I can't have any more loose ends.”

  “He would never tell about your past dealings. Not even if the Marshal put him on the Shift Rack. Corris Lee lives by a code.”

  “I believe you. But others can link us together. They see him as my right hand, a constant reminder of the chaos I climbed out of.” The Judge finally turned, his expression utterly serene. “Uniting this country will mean a reputation beyond what I possess now. Removing my naysayers is cheaper than trying to bribe the prideful.”

  Abby stepped forward, her voice dropping to a fierce, desperate whisper. “You offered my hand. You are making my word and name worthless. But that’s not the biggest mistake. He is not just a man, Daddy. He’s the only man who has walked the Shift line and brought the monster back on a leash.”

  The Judge’s eyes narrowed slightly, the first sign of impatience. “I am aware of his reputation.”

  “No, you’re not! You don’t order Corris Lee killed, you order an eradication. If he survives this—and he will. If he smells betrayal—he won't just come for you. He will burn everything. The alliances, the treaties, the mines. He will leave a scorched path of iron and fire from Lethe to the Red Mesa until your reputation, and everything you are trying to build, is ash. You kill Corris Lee, you sign a death warrant for your empire.”

  “He’s just one man.”

  “You mean Corris? After all he has done for this family. For me. For Asher…”

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  “That’s enough, beloved. I will honor him. In name.”

  “By killing him? By hanging his name on a frame? You taught us that was the lowest degradation in the Mesa. To be double dealing. You are murdering his soul and condemning us all.”

  The Judge took one step closer, his voice dropping to a final, absolute register.

  “Enough, Abby. The cost of a united nation always demands sacrifice. And I have chosen mine.”

  “And I have chosen mine too, Daddy.”

  Just then, the Nagy house butler knocked on the door to announce a visitor.

  “Judge, you have a Selene Frost seeking your audience.”

  “Perfect timing. Send her in, Jacob.” Judge Nagy stood up from his oak desk. Pope rose to his feet, straightening his black jacket.

  The air felt heavy and hard to breathe. The smell of cinnamon and bleach. The mix stung the hair in their noses.

  In walked a woman dressed in all black. A black leather duster. She wore a black Hennin, black leather chaps over black pants, and thigh-high boots with silver skull spurs that clinked with each slow step.

  “Welcome to my home, Ms. Frost. I appreciate your punctuality.” Judge Nagy extended his hand.

  The VVitch met his hand with hers. Pope noticed the six-shooters holstered on both her hips. He fought the urge to place his hand near his own pistol. Any meeting with a VVitch would normally end in a shootout, given their general aversion to human life. This situation was different: since the target was Corris Lee, the Gun VVitch willingly took the job to be their assassin.

  “The fear of Corris Lee coming for your family is valid. That's why my cost is high. If you knew how hard he’d pursue the common shooter. He will hunt a man to the gates of hell if need be.”

  “Then we have an agreement, Ms. Frost.” The Judge sealed their deal with another handshake. Abby stormed out of the room.

  “Our concern is a valid one,” Pope added. “If you fail, Corris Lee will wage war against this entire house.”

  “Corris Lee isn't the first Reclaimer I had the pleasure of extinguishing. This is what we do, gentlemen.” The Gun VVitch curtseyed. Spun on her heel and exited the Judge's office. Nagy watched her leave before turning around to face Pope.

  “When this is all over, you will have a place in my cabinet. I promise. We just need to get our hands bloody a few more times.”

  “He’ll come for Abby.”

  “He’ll need to go through hell to do so. That's one promise I can't give.”

  “If the Gun VVitch…”

  “Enough, Pope. You need to have faith in the darkness sometimes. The blood of the de

  voted keeps the church house stable.”