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“We bury her,” Corvin explains. “Easiest option. And I saw a burial ground not far from the compound when I explored the place the other day.”

“Done,” Lian adds, already on his feet. He peels back the towel to stare at the bloody mess across his chest. But the blood appears to have coagulated, and he’s no longer bleeding. He drops the towel to the couch and tugs down his torn, stained shirt. “Let’s do this.”

They both turn to me. “You’re joining us,” Corvin explains. “Not leaving you alone.”

For once, I don’t disagree, and get to my feet. “Fine, but let me get changed. This dress and heels aren’t made for burying a body.”

“Reasonable,” Lian answers.

In no time, we are rushing through the dark corridor of the compound. I’m in slacks, flats, and a dark shirt, feeling more like myself. I lead the way with Corvin behind me, carrying his aide, rolled up in the bedsheet, over his shoulder. Lian trails behind.

I still can’t believe we’re doing this, but I remain silent and follow the same path Corvin used earlier today to sneak me out of the compound.

We finally reach the basement, my pulse racing at the thought of someone spotting us, but Lian confirms that there were no cameras in the prison, as he’d personally checked. I didn’t want to know why he did that in the first place, but I don’t ask questions.

I let them rush into the basement as I hold the door open for them.

“Dawn?” a soft voice chirps down the hallway.

I go still, my hand strangling the door handle. When I glance over, a figure approaches, and it’s only when she passes by one of the torches on the wall that Insy comes completely into view.

Nearly leaving my physical body from how hard I jerk at the sight of her, I wave for the guys to hide, then step out into the hallway.

“Insy, what are you doing here?” My voice comes out too shaky.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you the same question? Who told you about the secret way out?” She glances at the darkness behind me, and she’s not in her uniform today. She wears a short red dress that cinches in at her waist, with puffy sleeves. White socks go all the way past her knees, with red boots that sit low on her ankles. Absolutely adorable, except I shove the thought away. She can’t see the dead body.

“Corvin found this passage. And he’s going to show me the city. Please don’t tell anyone.”

“Girl, I would never. I’m heading out myself, so I’ll walk with you.”

I tense up, then I start laughing, sounding crazy. “Why are you going out this way? Wouldn’t you want to use the front gate? Maybe it’s better, as it draws attention away from this entry.”

She narrows her gaze at me, while I just smile. “Are you all right? You seem to be sweating a bit.” She then peers into the basement behind me, and short of shoving her aside, she waves. “Hey there, you two. What’s in the blanket?” Of course she knows who they are, as she brings them food too.

I sigh and step aside because I’m the worst person at lying.

“Hello,” Lian answers. Corvin grunts, turning toward the back wall of the basement, clearly fed up with waiting. “We don’t have time for this,” Corvin finally blurts out.

But in that same split second, a pale blue hand flops out from the end of the bundle hanging over Corvin’s back.

Everyone falls deathly silent.

The world drops out from under me. Lian snorts a laugh, and Insy gasps. “Shit!”

“Magnificent job there,” Lian directs at Corvin.

“Oh, my lords. What have you done?” She blinks in their direction, then glances at me, lips pulled thin.

Panic curls in my chest, and Lian’s suddenly at my side, his lips on my ear. “Want me to just end her too?”

“No!” I snap. “Don’t you dare.” I collect Insy’s hand and draw her a few steps away from the doorway. “Listen, this is going to sound insane and⁠—”

“You killed someone?” She arches one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

“Insy, it wasn’t me,” I begin.

“It happens more than you realize.”