"Oh, it's still shitty," he agrees, that rare profanity--well-earned, in this case--hanging in the air for a moment. "Lethe, the organization Alex and I belong to, or belonged, now, was founded to mitigate that, as much as possible. We monitor the rites of the other eight societies, making sure nobody's unduly harmed, whether they're students or residents of the town."

Darlington likes to think they've succeeded, that he's succeeded, for the most part. There had been hiccups and errors along the way, things Lethe had needed to smooth over with funds or promises or even threats, but they'd learned from each and that's what mattered more.

"It doesn't correct the imbalance completely, but if it's kept someone safe who otherwise wouldn't have been, that's enough for me."