Again and again, every house is the same, like the humans are in a state of mental rest, waiting until they’re needed.

I force my eyes ahead in disgust, when a pair of arms wrap around me, pulling me between two huts and shoving me against a bundle of fishing net.

Gil’s eyes are as dark as a storm, his face barely an inch from mine. “What are you doing out here alone? There are Legion Guards everywhere, and you don’t know how to veil yourself.”

“I’m not alone, clearly.” I shove him away but remain in the shadows. “And I look like a Resident. I’ll be fine.”

“Last I checked, Residents don’t run around in sweatpants.”

Scowling, I flick my wrist toward my clothes. Pixels scatter all over my outfit, contorting and shifting until I’m left wearing a shirt, fitted trousers, and a black, hooded coat with leather detailing and decorative silver buttons. It may not be a ballgown, but it’s easily Resident approved.

The hardness disappears from his brow, and his mouth parts slightly.

“Don’t look so shocked,” I say. “Playing dress-up is my specialty.”

“You’re getting faster.”

“Is that a compliment?”

Gil huffs. “This isn’t a good time to be outside of the Colony. The Legion Guards… they’re looking for someone.”

For someone—but not necessarily me. Which means maybe the whispers had nothing to do with the guards at all.

I cross my arms. “Who exactly are you keeping in that glass prison of yours?”

“It’s better if you don’t know.”

“But I’d like to know, and at least I’m being polite enough to ask. It’s not like I don’t already know where the hatch is, if I wanted to see for myself.”

“Don’t do that,” he warns, almost desperately. “You’re still the Colony’s spy. If he sees you… If he recognizes you…”

My mind works quickly. If I can speak with Ophelia, maybe Residents can do the same among themselves. It’s possible their prisoner has already alerted the Legion Guards. They might know he’s been taken by humans and is being held somewhere without windows.

But the guards haven’t found him yet. Which means even if they can communicate with him, they have no idea where he is.

All of that could change if he sees me. Because if word gets out that I’m a spy? The Legion Guards—and Prince Caelan—would certainly know who to interrogate. It might even cost us our chance to learn about the Orb.

I won’t let that happen. “You can veil me. I won’t say a word while I’m down there.”

He blinks back at me, the skepticism woven through his knotted brow.

“Weren’t you the one who gave a big speech about working together from now on?” I argue.