“It’s quite obvious it became a battle to the death,” Hildebrand concedes. “I will give you that. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that she instigated the events by going there on her own in the first place. She hired the courtesan, and then when things went awry, she tried to cover up the incident. She acted in a manner completely at odds with what IVI represents. We do not allow these things to become outside issues. It’s the one rule we must all abide by. Yet we now have an outsider insistent on retribution. Mercedes has drawn attention to us, and not in a good way. This must be dealt with, as much as it displeases me to say. There must be severe consequences—”
“Enough,” Judge snaps. “I would like to have a word with you in private. Now.”
Hildebrand narrows his gaze at Judge, and I cling to Santi as visions of public beatings taint my mind.
“We aren’t finished,” the councilor tells him.
“I’m invoking the Vicarius clause,” Judge replies, low and quiet.
Hildebrand’s eyes flare, and my brother tenses beside me, but I don’t understand what that means. Before I have a chance to guess, Hildebrand shifts his attention to my brother.
“Remove her from his courtroom and wait outside. It looks like we’ll be having that word in private after all.”