Annika stares at the hologram. The image of the palace breaks into pixels and re-forms into a massive courtyard at the back of a marbled building. It’s Prince Caelan’s home in the Summer District, known to the Residents as the Gallery. Apparently the Prince of Victory has a soft spot for oil paintings.

Paintings created by enslaved humans, I remind myself.

I catch Gil watching me and do my best to appear unreadable. He’s seen enough of my thoughts for one day.

“We want you there,” Annika says, eyeing the Gallery. “To gather whatever intel you can, but also to make sure your face becomes familiar to the Residents. There’s a line between being new and being known, and right in the middle is how you can stay invisible.”

I study the building, fingers flexing at my sides. “Won’t they ask questions about who I am?”

“Resident creation is a sensitive subject,” Ahmet explains. “It’s considered impolite to ask questions about when and how one was made.”

“They don’t like being reminded they were engineered rather than born,” Theo clarifies. “But new ones come in from the Capital all the time. It isn’t unusual.”

“While all of that is true, it’s still safer if you aren’t a complete stranger the night Ophelia arrives in Victory,” Annika says. “The Dawn Festival will be a good opportunity for you to practice. You have a role to master, and now we have a timeline.”

“This… It feels too soon,” I admit, and avert Gil’s cold stare.

Annika tilts her head, waiting.

“I might be able to blend in, but interacting with Residents is a completely different thing,” I try to explain. “I’ve only done it once before.”

“With a prince,” Shura reminds the room. “Nami can do this. I’ve seen it.”

I flatten my mouth. I wish I had her confidence—about my abilities and the mission.

“I believe she can too. However, I do have concerns about her lack of finesse,” Annika says, dropping her chin. “I’m assuming you don’t know how to dance?”

I shift my feet, aware everyone is watching me. “Not exactly,” I manage to say.

She hums, nodding. “Does anyone in here know how to waltz? Nami could use a lesson or two before the Dawn Festival.”

My eyes widen. “You expect me to dance with them?”

“Of course not,” Annika corrects. “But we need to prepare for every possibility.”

Theo holds up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I’m not the dancing type.”

Shura smiles weakly. “All I know how to do is the floss.”

Ahmet sighs. “I don’t know what that is, but I’m more comfortable at a computer desk than I am on my feet.” He claps a hand on Gil’s shoulder. “But Gil—”

Oh no, please don’t say it, my mind groans.

“—learned from his mom, once upon a time,” he finishes.