But it’s not just my new mask that’s a puzzle. I spoke with a Resident—a prince—who couldn’t see me for what I am. Somehow, I made a connection with one of the rulers of Infinity, and I’m still here to tell the tale.

What would the Colony say if they found out this wasn’t even the first time?

Theo’s muscular arms are firm across his chest. Shura stands quietly beside him, her gaze fixed to mine. I think she’s afraid to lose sight of me again, afraid she might be a little responsible.

None of this is her fault, but it isn’t mine, either.

I don’t even know what I did.

Ahmet places his hands on the table and leans forward. “I think we can at least agree she’s still one of us. Her imprint is working—we know she didn’t get swapped out at the market with a Resident that looks like her. And we’ve all seen her dreams.”

“Test me again if you want to,” I offer. I can’t say I’m thrilled about the idea of them peering into my psyche, but it’s better than the way they’re peering at me now.

Their distrust is suffocating.

Annika raises a hand, amber eyes thinning. “That isn’t necessary. I believe you’re human.”

Theo lifts his head, and there’s relief in his eyes. Clearly, he wasn’t as sure.

I square my shoulders. “Then why is everyone looking at me like I’ve done something wrong? I mean, isn’t this a good thing? Now you all know it’s possible to trick the Residents. Or at the very least, live among them without them even knowing.”

Shura and Theo exchange glances. Ahmet sighs.

“It’s not that simple,” Annika says, and I feel my body shrivel up like I’m being scolded. “You are not the first person to suggest infiltrating the Residents by making ourselves look like them. But it doesn’t work. We can never fully capture their essence—the thing that separates us from them.”

“But isn’t that what I did?”

“Perhaps.” Annika pauses. “Unless the prince was baiting you. Maybe it was all a ploy to lead him straight to the rest of us.”

Everyone else shifts at the suggestion. Shura twirls a strand of pink hair between her fingers. Ahmet scratches at the area just above his scar. And Theo rolls his tongue against the inside of his cheek like it’s taking everything in him to keep his mouth shut.

But somehow Annika remains unfazed.

My thoughts weave together, slowly at first, until it dawns on me that the reason Annika isn’t worried is because she’s already made up her mind. “You don’t think we’re in danger.”