Emily felt the weight of her choice settle over her like a heavy cloak.
She had just told Victor Hale she would help him.
The words still felt like acid on her tongue.
Hale's expression was one of satisfaction, but she could see the flicker of calculation in his eyes, the way he studied her as if gauging her sincerity.
He wasn't a fool. He would test her, push her, make her prove her loyalty.
Which meant she had to sell it.
Had to play the part.
Had to lie as convincingly as she ever had in her life.
Because if she failed, the Resistance would burn.
And she wasn't going to let that happen.
Hale stepped forward, eyes sharp. "You've made the right decision, Emily."
She didn't respond, keeping her face carefully neutral.
He gestured toward the screens. "Your first task is simple.
We have a traitor within Project Phoenix. Someone feeding information to the remaining Resistance cells. I want you to find them."
Emily's pulse spiked.
She hadn't expected this.
