I want to shout that I’m right. I want to scream that I didn’t do anything wrong. I want to make them understand that I’m only trying to help.

Instead, I walk away from all of them.

I slide out of my gown and rummage through my limited possessions for a loose sweater and black pants. When I’m dressed, I scoop up the crumpled gray dress still sitting at my feet. Something falls out of the skirts and lands on the floor with a heavy thump.

A copy of The Count of Monte Cristo stares back at me. The one I stole from Prince Caelan’s library.

With a huff, I snatch the book from the floor and set it on the nearby shelf. At the time, taking it made me feel like I was in control. I was reclaiming something that was ours. Something that was human.

And maybe I also wanted the reminder that in my own way, I’d proven Gil wrong—that I wasn’t the coward he thought I was, or the last person someone should put their hope in.

I push away from the shelf, shove my crumpled gown into a drawer, and fold my arms around myself. Somehow stealing a book doesn’t feel as gratifying as it did before.

I tried to help someone today because it felt like the right thing to do. It felt important. And Annika basically fired me for it.

How can they call themselves Heroes and still refuse to help the girl in the palace?

They’re wrong for not trying. They’re wrong for not believing me when I know what I saw.

She was aware. And I might’ve taken a gamble by revealing myself to her, but didn’t she do the same by revealing herself to me? I might be the only person in Infinity who knows her secret.

I don’t care what the Colony thinks—I won’t leave her to a life of servitude.

I cross the room, taking a seat at the edge of the bed, and stare down at my open hands. Somehow I need to convince the Colony to change their minds. I need to prove that humans really are waking up—that it’s still possible to save them.

But how can I do that without openly defying Annika’s orders? She made it clear I’m no longer spymaster. She wants me back in the training room, like I’m on probation. And since I’ve never traveled anywhere alone before and I don’t know how to veil myself, I don’t think wandering back into the palace with my Resident face to track down the girl is going to be an option.

I’m stuck underground, with abilities that can’t help me.

My gaze drifts to my wrist.

Unless…

A chill brushes up my arms like a window’s been left open. Or a doorway.