"Bigger words do not make the condition easier to deal with, Brother," Joshua pointed out.
"Trust me, I know. Just imagine," Sin told him, "that you gave your life to save your angel—back when you were still entrusted with one—only to wake up like this." He lifted his hand to make the point. "I never wanted my enhancements. I never asked for them. I would have died without them and been happy in the arms of my God."
"And yet you still have them," Joshua pointed out. "So are you saying you're not guilty of the sin?"
"I feel the guilt of my body every single day," Sin assured him. "I pray for forgiveness and guidance. Do you?"
Joshua smiled. "I pray for guidance. I think we all do. I cannot say I have sinned lately, though. My work as the Censor leaves little time for that."
"Or more than you think," Sin countered. "Since the eighth precept is an easy one to forget. But I'm sure you know that. I came here to talk to you about the judgment you're bringing against me."
"It's just to ensure the situation is handled without reproach," Joshua told him. "I'm sure you know there are whispers about your place in the Legion now that you've been enhanced. Some are concerned your decision-making was altered when silicon neurons were added to your brain. So, I felt it was easiest to simply have the evidence weighed in a public venue."
Sin nodded, refusing to let this man bait him into a debate. "I have no problem with that. Benedict said you'll be handling the prosecution?"
"I will," Joshua agreed.
"Do we have a date set? I will need to make sure my angel is protected during that time."
A smile touched Joshua's lips. "Three days from now. You should receive your formal notice in the morning."
"Perfect," Sin said. "I'll be ready for it. Will there also be an inquiry into why the priest attacked me?"
"His name," Joshua said, "was Paul. Right now, his actions are not our concern. The man is dead, Brother Sinclair. The least you can do is pretend to feel remorse."
"I assure you I do." He lifted a brow pointedly. "I hate that any priest of the Legion would attack the sworn charge of another. I can't even imagine a reason to justify that. If Brother Paul had made better decisions, then he would still be with us, hopefully to find his way back to the grace of God. But it is not my place to judge. That is for God alone."
Joshua sucked at his teeth for a moment, clearly thinking hard. "Should I assume that's the defense you'll be using?"
"Protecting my angel?" Sin asked, just hammer home the point. "Yes."
"Which means you'll invite no witnesses," Joshua said as if it was a forgone conclusion.
"Two, I believe," Sin corrected. "I was assisted by a local shopkeeper. I think his testimony will clear things up. And of course, my angel's presence is well known."
"Then we will hear from both," Joshua assured him.
But there was something about the man's tone. Some twist to his voice and the expression on his face that made it clear this wasn't good news for Sin. He tried to remember every detail so he could tell Rissa the next time they were together, but he couldn't record his thoughts the way she could. Something was going to get missed, and it would likely be something important.
"And," Joshua went on, "Benedict has asked for Sister Julie to assist with your defense, since she's the one who discovered the body of the priest."
"That makes sense," Sin agreed. "It's easier than adding her as another witness. Now, if that is settled, I should begin preparing my defense. Would you excuse me, Censor?"
Joshua stepped back, making it clear he wasn't barring the path to the exit. "For your sake, Brother Sin, I hope you are not lying."
"Fourth precept," Sin reminded him. "I have enough faith in my God that I don't need to."
As he marched out of the building, Sin couldn't help but pray his God felt the same. Something about this felt wrong. It couldn't be this easy. Joshua wouldn't dare give Sin the platform to expose the cure for rejection or the suspicion that a faction of the Legion was actively working to expand the church's power into government. And at a public venue? That meant anyone could see it. Everyone would hear what Sin had to say.
So what was the catch? What exactly did the Censor have up his sleeve? And most importantly, how would Sin avoid that trap?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
That afternoon, Sin walked into the OutLink receiving room wearing his easily identifiable armor. Daniel Briggs had refused to allow the Ingénue to be seen in anything but those hideous blue robes. For branding, for uniformity, or whatever other reason he wanted to cite, it didn't matter. Sin's job was going to be harder because of it.
While he waited, a girl walked out. She wasn't Rissa. Sin could tell even under the robe. Across the room, a man in an OutLink uniform stood to take custody of her.
"Too bad Dan didn't listen to me," Sin grumbled.
