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Which is why we’re lingering at the back of the lecture hall now where I watch as Sofia leans in slightly toward Hunter, saying something else that makes her forehead furrow. Her eyes dart up to me and Damon.

“Oh shit, she doesn’t look like she’s into it,” Damon says quietly. “I knew I should have been the one to ask her.”

Her dark hair slips over one shoulder as she gestures with one hand as she speaks. Hunter is listening to her closely, nodding once, his expression serious but open. She gathers her bag and laptop, slinging the strap over her shoulder before giving him a quick wave. Then she turns and heads toward the side exit door.

“What did she say?” Damon yells across the room.

“She said she’d think about it.”

Damon immediately shifts beside me, body tensing like he’s ready to follow her, but I reach out and catch his arm, fingers wrapping firmly around his bicep to stop him.

“Let me go,” I say quietly.

He hesitates, then nods.

I slip out after her and see her disappear into the women’s restroom at the end of the hall. I follow her in.

The bathroom is quiet, the fluorescent lights buzzing softly overhead. Sofia is at the sink, washing her hands. She glances up in the mirror when I enter, awareness flickering across her face immediately.

“He sent you in to convince me?” she asks, tone dry, but not hostile.

“No,” I say, stepping closer. “He didn’t. But I am here to convince you.”

She turns off the faucet and grabs a paper towel. “I said I’d think about it.”

“That’s not enough.” My voice is quieter now, more urgent. “We’re running out of time. She’s running out of time.”

Sofia meets my eyes in the mirror. “Who is ‘she?’”

“Stella St. James,” I answer. “The one person we know the Guardian still has in captivity.” I take a deep breath. “At least we hope so.”

Sofia turns to face me fully, leaning her hip against the sink. “You think using me as some kind of lure will really work?” She crosses her arms. “I’m barely Count-adjacent at this point.”

“Outside of Lavinia, you’re probably the closest thing,” I admit. “They’re desperate. And so are we. This has to come to an end, and we’re willing to try anything.”

“Including putting my life at risk?” Her voice hardens. “I don’t have a full frat at my back, like you do, much less a King and his Barons. It’s just me. My brother is dead. KNT is in shambles. I’ve done everything I can to build a life outside of this Forsyth bullshit, and here you are, trying to drag me back in.”

I step closer and, before she can stop me, gently grab her wrist and pull up the sleeve of her blouse. The dark, coiling design of a viper tattoo is inked on her forearm.

“You and I both know there’s no escaping this world, even if we want to,” I say softly. “The claws of this city are in all of us. All we can do is try to make sure no one else gets hurt again.”

I release her arm.

“The difference this time,” I continue, “is that we’ll protect you. Not just the Barons–the Dukes, the Lords, the Princes, too. We’ve all got something at stake here. We’ve all lost people. And trust me…” I take a deep breath and release it. “I know what it’s like to be hunted. It sucks. It’s terrifying. But it’s time to put an end to this and bring Stella home.”

Sofia stares at me for so long I shift on my feet. Her jaw works, lips pressed into a thin line. I can see the resistance warring inside her–the desire to stay safe versus the guilt of walking away.

“I hate these assholes, you know that? All the guns and drugs. Lionel Lucia made a mistake when he put Bruno in charge. My brother was a psychopath. This mark,” she holds up her arm and shows the tattoo, “has been a reminder of that, every day. If this will finally rid me of my ties to him, I’ll help.” She swallows. “I’ll do it.”

Relief floods through me so strongly my knees nearly buckle. I reach out and squeeze her arm.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “We won’t let you face it alone.”

“You better not.” Sofia gives me a small, tired nod. “I’ll do it, but I need one thing.”

“Sure. What is it?”

Her eyes darken. “I know there’s no evidence and it’s just a rumor, but keep that brother murdering Nick Bruin away from me.”