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“Are you coming with us tonight?” I ask Lex, already knowing the answer.

He shrugs. “I’m still sick sometimes.”

It’s a lie, and I know it. Last night was Verity’s first night out of the dungeon, and he didn’t come to bed with us. He says it’s because of the withdrawal symptoms, but I know it’s about making our escape. He feels responsible for the plan because he’s the one who made it, back when we were in high school.

He won’t get any real rest until he knows all of us are safe.

“She asked about you,” I say, pinning him with a glare. “Don’t make me lie to her again.”

His face falls, which is when the doorknob begins rattling. We freeze, eyes flying wide, before we all begin to frantically stuff the evidence beneath the couch.

Over the music, I hear a muffled, “Pace? Are you guys in there?” It’s followed by five loud bangs.

We all deflate, Pace standing to turn down the music, and when he opens the door, it’s to the sight of Verity and Ballsack. She pushes into the room, and the expression on her face makes me lurch upright.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

Her eyes are brimming with tears.

Pace is already grabbing her, hands framing her face. “Hey, hey—what happened?”

“It’s Stella,” she says, clutching his wrists. “She’s gone.”

I glance at Ballsack. “Gone where?”

The Dukeling looks as ragged as Lex. “Gone missing,” he grinds out.

Lex stands, holding up his hands. “Wait, slow down. What do you mean, missing?”

Verity takes a deep breath, her face lined with panic. “Wicker and I… we gave her the day off yesterday. She never came back.”

Pace frowns. “Well, maybe she went home—”

“No,” Ballsack snaps, and from one glance at him, I can tell he’s far past panic. “I spoke to Mercer, who spoke to her sister. She hasn’t seen Stella in weeks.”

“Something’s wrong,” Verity agrees, glancing between me and my brothers. “Wrong, like Rory’s sister. Wrong, like all the other missing girls.” She meets my gaze, her voice sharp with conviction. “Stella wouldn’t leave me and Ballsy.”

“Red,” I start, sharing a look with Lex, “I’m sure it’s fine. It’s only been—what, not even two days?”

Lex frowns, but assures, “I’m sure she’ll show up.”

Ballsack releases a clipped, angry laugh. “See?” he tells her. “Stella’s South Side. I fucking told you they wouldn’t care.”

“Of course, they care!” She glances between us, voice fervent. “Stella has been a fixture since I got here. She’s the closest thing I have here to a friend. She takes care of me, and we’ll take care of her.” She fixes me with a hard gaze. “Right?”

Sighing, I meet Pace’s agitated gaze. “I guess… we can check the footage, right?”

I don’t even need to look at Lex to know he’s pulling a face. We’re days out from graduation—and escaping this hellhole. Investigating the disappearance of Verity’s handmaiden is going to be a real dildo in our ass. There’s no way to do it quickly and without attracting attention.

Pace seems to mull this over before landing heavily in his desk chair. “Fine, let’s check the feeds.”

Something in Ballsack’s expression roars to life, and suddenly, he’s right up against Pace’s side, tattooed fists resting on the desktop. “She left at about noon.”

Lex and I wait on the couch as Pace leads Ballsack and Verity through the footage. They see her leaving the Princess’ room right after she caught us pre-fuck. In the video, she’s grinning from ear to ear, all but skipping down the hallway as she leaves. Her being all happy and buoyant? Not a good sign. People don’t run away because they’re happy. If anyone knows that, it’s us.

“You said she took your shitty car?” Pace asks, pulling up the footage from the garage.

Verity’s mouth goes pinched. “It’s not shitty.”