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“—or a test?” she cuts in sharply.

“Here, everything is a test,” Damien says, looking at Ethan. He rolls up his shirt sleeves before showing a box full of cards. “You’ll infiltrate the gala under civilian cover, no weapons, no safety net, just you and the targets.”

Ms. Green takes over before continuing, “That’s right, we’ll be there, but no help.”

“And if the target refuses?” Ethan asks.

She finally manages a smile. “Then you’ll have failed to read your target.”

I clench my teeth. “And if…” My voice escapes involuntarily. “What if someone doesn’t want to use that lever?”

Several heads turn toward me. I feel Damien’s gaze sink in, as if he’s trying to understand my question.

“That lever?” he asks.

My gaze meets his. “The body.”

He doesn't answer right away; he remains there, arms crossed. Ms. Green replies, “Then this person will have to accept that certain specializations aren't right for them.”

“Even if the mission could save lives?” I ask.

“Especially in this case.”

Hayzel leans toward me and whispers, “Reya, this is so exciting.”

I don't answer; I just imagine having to do it. Someone looking at the scars and asks what they mean, who inflicted them, and things that aren’t theirs to know.

“Listen to me carefully,” Ms. Green continues, “No one will force you.”

Damien raises his head slightly. “But no one will protect you either,” he says, “Every decision will have a cost. And for you, if you fail this mission, you'll be eliminated from the program.”

She turns off the screen, and our climbing instructor takes the box and brings it over to us. He places cards inside with our photos, fake names, and false affiliations.

“I won’t tell you how to do this. I won’t set any limits. Because in the field… no one will do it for you.” Damien continues, “If you’re not capable of using what you are; your charm, your intelligence, your body, then you’re not cut out for infiltration.”

Ms. Green moves closer and points to the door. “And if this idea disgusts you… The door is behind you.”

No one moves.

“And if we succeed?” I ask.

Ms. Green smiles at me and replies, “So you’ll have proven that you’re capable of infiltrating where no one else can.”

“And then?”

“Then… you’ll be deployable at the end of your training.”

I nod and meet Damien’s gaze. His eyes said: think.

Mine replied: I have no choice.

“Get ready,” she concludes. “Next week you’ll learn what you’re really made of.”

“It’s scary, but I can’t wait,” Hayzel says, packing up her things. The students all left at the same time as the teachers, and I caught Damien’s signal. Two taps on the desk

“Go on without me, I think I dropped my phone. I’ll catch up.”

Ethan frowns before Hayzel grabs his arm and pulls him along. “Okay, Reya, we’ll wait for you outside.”