“Thank you,” I say, leaving the box where it is. I’ll take it home, but I can’t guarantee Ariana will be wearing it anytime soon. I’ll leave that to Mercedes to decide. Because ultimately, it’s a mark of ownership already. My daughter is a member of our Society, even if she is a Sovereign daughter. And that means something. And then there’s my son. A Sovereign Son like myself. Like Santiago and even Hildebrand. Privileged beyond belief. The world open to him. To her, too, but to a lesser extent.

“I trust you are fully recovered from the unfortunate incident earlier this year, Judge?”

The unfortunate incident of him requiring the full extent of punishment for Mercedes’s role in bringing unwanted attention to The Society. For my invoking the Vicarius clause and taking that punishment over.

“I am, thank you for your concern.” He is not concerned. It’s that playing field he would like to tip in his favor.

“Now that we’ve dispatched with the pleasantries,” Santiago starts, emphasizing the word pleasantries. “Perhaps you can tell me how an armed outsider managed to get on IVI grounds on the night of my sister’s wedding and attempt to kill her, succeed in almost killing her husband and her brother-in-law, who, by the way, was the man who brought Vincent Douglas down. Not an IVI guard of whom there were plenty.”

“What are you suggesting, Mr. De La Rosa?”

“I’m not suggesting anything. I’d just like to know what the hell happened that night.”

Hildebrand takes a moment but then nods. “As would I. We’ve questioned the guards at the gates, and two have been disciplined.”

“Two? What about the others?” I ask.

He glances at his desk, then back up at me. “I understand your brother needed long-term rehabilitation. I’m sure those costs are exorbitant. We will, of course, pay for his treatment and any distress the situation caused him.”

“Money is not the issue, Councilor. I’d prefer you take responsibility for what happened. More people could have been hurt if not for my brother.”

“Yes, Theron did a service to the Society,” he agrees. “And for that, he shall be rewarded.”

“You and Theron can work out those details between yourselves another time. But The Tribunal’s role, considering it is The Tribunal who manages security for our members, is what I’d like to discuss tonight.”

He clears his throat, struggling with this part. But neither Santiago nor I plan to let him off the hook, and we sit quietly, letting time do its work.

“I believe, gentlemen, that it came down to one thing. Vincent Douglas was determined to avenge his sister’s death. And we as The Tribunal underestimated his determination.”

“And my pregnant wife was almost killed for it!” I slam a fist on his desk.