Randolph folded his hands behind his back, pacing. “I think Josiah was in love with you. It must have broken his heart to learn you’re corrupted with filth. I’ve promised he could interrogate you. I think it will make him feel better. He asked if Caine could watch, and I granted him his wish.”

Her mouth was dry, and she tried to focus on his words as she tugged at the ropes. “Watch what?”

Randolph tilted his head. “Watch what he does to you. It’s an acceptable strategy. The demon may choose to confess everything to save you. But of course, demons have no compassion at all, nor do you, I suppose. You’re not human anymore. It’s fascinating, really. You do look human. Beautiful, even. Though when Josiah is finished with his interrogation that may not be the case.”

Cold dread snaked up her spine. “I want a trial.”

Randolph crinkled his brow. “What for? We know you’re guilty. We’re no longer required to waste time with paperwork and legal nonsense. We’re at war. Moreover, the sixth amendment only applies to humans. Same for the eighth amendment.”

“The prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.”

“Exactly. They don’t apply to your species.” He stared at the floor as he paced, his eyes never meeting hers.

“I’m human.”

“We’ve changed our thinking about that. Once a person uses magic and creates an aura, they are no longer considered human. A person who provides protection for a witch is no longer human, either.”

She struggled frantically against the ropes, sweat beading on her forehead. This was insane. “You can’t just make up your own definitions.”

“Of course we can. It is people like me who create reality. It is people like me who define our terms. This is the way it’s always been. The Brotherhood is an empire, and Blodrial has called on me to lead it.” His cheeks reddened, his pace increasing. “Weak-minded scholars might huddle in libraries, arguing over semantics and ethics. Fine. With their noses stuck in books, they’re out of my way while I create reality. Meanwhile, I’m going to act, molding the world into the way it should be according to divine principles.”

She gasped for breath, her lungs burning. “If you torture people, what makes you any better than the demons?”

“We don’t call it torture, so it isn’t.” His heels clacked faster over the floorboards. “Anyway, that you would even question me in that way shows how far you’ve fallen.”

She wanted to distract him—if only because she knew what was coming next. “Your lack of introspection is breathtaking.”

He paused his pacing, cocking his head but refusing to meet her eyes. “I do often request that our interrogators refrain from leaving marks, because they can make for unfortunate pictures in the wrong hands, but I can’t promise Josiah will heed that request.” He turned with a tight smile. “Well, it was interesting to meet you in person. I’ll let Josiah know you’re ready for him. You already know how this works, Rosalind. You’ve been in here before.”