The Burden of Mercy

VANCE’S POV

“Thank you.” He’s staring straight ahead, and his voice is steady, and there’s something in it I’ve never heard from him before—something almost peaceful. “For the mercy of it.”

“Mercy.” The word comes out flat and disbelieving. “I’m putting you in a cell for the rest of your natural life, Malachi. That is not mercy.”

“It is, though.” He turns to face me. “Vance. If I had done what I d