Unless you’re Garrett and just won a get-out-of-jail-free card… If he gets caught, his partner will probably have to take the fall… I swallow hard, beginning to sweat. But, at the same time, my insides leap in anticipation.

“In years past, the heists have been small, mostly involving stealing treasures to add to the Vault, but this year is different. Your mission will be integral to preserving the truth.” He paces back and forth across the stage. “Each of the ten teams will be asked to steal a piece of the overall puzzle, and, when combined, the information will be of great significance to the Disconnect movement. For your own safety, you’re not to discuss your heist with the other teams—the less you know about the overall heist, the better.

“Each team will be assigned a master thief who will oversee your plan. They’re the only ones who will know your strategy and what it is you’re after.” He comes to a stop, and his eyes go to Garrett. “And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Our champion will choose his partner. When the announcement is made, I’d like his partner to come to the stage.”

He motions Garrett forward, and I look to his parents. Their expressions remain unchanged, though they must be bursting with pride in their son.

Garrett stands. It’s weird seeing him dressed like a normal guy, in dark fitted jeans and a thin black T-shirt that shows off the definition in his lean arms. Hands casually shoved in his pockets, he moves next to Robie, scanning the room until he finds me. A slight smile forms on his lips.

Shrinking in my seat, I stare at his toes.

“Are you ready to choose?” Robie asks.

“Yeah,” Garrett says, like the announcement he’s about to make is no big deal.

“Who will it be, then?”

The air is heavy with silence as Garrett waits, letting the anticipation build.

My heart pounds in my ears. He’s taking so long I check his face to see what his deal is.

As soon as our eyes meet, he speaks. “I choose Elisha DeWitt.”

Rayelle gasps and tries shoving me to my feet, but I can’t move. The blood drains from my face as the room erupts in chaos.

“Excellent choice,” Robie says, smiling. “Elisha, please join us.”

Knowing I don’t have a choice, I force my wooden legs to move toward the stage. It’s like I’m swimming upstream, faces floating by in a sea. Chloe’s steely eyes stare me down as I stumble up the steps and take my place next to Garrett, hyperaware of the whispers in the crowd.

“Glad you dressed up. Are you hoping hobo is our cover identity?” Garrett mutters under his breath.