Percy was not intending to police how his guests chose to spend their time. When Vax had vanished, he'd accepted it. When Trinket had relocated himself, he'd accepted that too. And when Curnen had fetched her guitar, he'd even been pleased at the gesture.

But Pike was rushing out in a way that he recognized as her trying to move without being noticed and immediately understood that something had to be wrong. With a murmured word to Vex, he excused himself and went after their dear friend.

He caught up with her in the corridor, his voice pitched to reach her ears and no other. "Pike? Is everything all right?"