My fingers curled into my fists "That's a lie" I said, my voice steady. Is it?" The handler spoke up "Because from where i'm sitting, they're walking straight into a trap. One we set specifically for them"
I forced myself not to react and not to flinch.
They were trying to break me.
They were trying to make me doubt them.
I would not give them that.
"They're smarter than you," I told him. "Stronger than you. And you know it."
The traitor's smile tightened "Strength doesn't mean anything if you don't see the knife coming.
My heart thudded in my rib cage but i didn't back down "You underestimate them"
"No," they whispered, "I know them better than you do."
The handler moved closer, and this time I did jerk back when they gripped my chin, forcing my head up. Their fingers felt cold on my skin.
"Let's make a deal" they whispered "Tell us what they're planning and maybe—just you'll live long enough to see the end of this"