THE NIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGED

Vanguard Academy smelled like wealth.

Not the flashy kind the understated kind. Mahogany, old books, expensive perfume, and generational power. The marble floors were so polished I could see my reflection, and the stained-glass windows made even the shadows look like royalty.

I walked through the entrance hall with a duffel bag on one shoulder, my steps quiet but purposeful. Every move had been practiced in front of mirrors and cameras. Shoulders back. Chin high. Not too proud. Not too eager.

You belong here.

That's what Genevieve drilled into me. "They'll smell fear. Make them smell curiosity."

A woman in a navy pantsuit greeted me. "Miss Monroe, welcome to Vanguard. I'm Ms. Leclair, Director of Student Affairs."

"Thank you," I said with a polished smile.

She led me through towering hallways, offering me the official tour, but I barely listened. I already had blueprints memorized entrances, security points, hidden tunnels. I knew this place better than most of its staff. I wasn't here to learn. I was here to dismantle.

Ms. Leclair opened the door to my dorm room. "You'll be sharing this suite with Lila Morton. She's been assigned as your peer mentor."

Lila Morton. Target One's daughter.

"Wonderful," I said.

She left me alone to unpack.

I didn't unpack.

Instead, I walked to the window and stared out over the campus. The courtyard was pristine, with winding paths, manicured hedges, and students scattered like chess pieces. Somewhere down there, the children of my enemies were laughing.

My fingers curled into fists.

Lila arrived twenty minutes later, flanked by two other girls in pastel sweaters and smug confidence. She had wavy blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a practiced smile that reminded me of poison in a perfume bottle.

"You must be Ava!" she said, air-kissing both sides of my face.

"Lila, right?" I said, mirroring her expression perfectly.

She grinned. "You're prettier than your application photo. Everyone's talking about the new girl."

Perfect.

Her friends introduced themselves Chloe and Madison both legacy students and walking tabloids. I played the part. Smiled. Complimented. Let Lila lead the conversation.

Within ten minutes, she was inviting me to lunch.

Within thirty, I had an invitation to her house that weekend.

Too easy.

Lunch was held in the sun-drenched conservatory that overlooked the west gardens. Students sat in groups, all perfectly curated by status. Lila dragged me to her usual table. That's when I saw him.

Caleb Vale.

He sat across the room, leaning back in his chair like he couldn't care less. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Hoodie under a tailored coat. The kind of guy who didn't follow rules because he didn't need to.

He glanced over at our table.

Right at me.

And frowned.

It wasn't a "who's the new girl" look. It was sharper. Like he'd seen something off and didn't like it.

I held his gaze.

He didn't look away.

Lila followed my line of sight and groaned. "Ugh, Caleb. Don't waste your time. He's weird."

"Why?" I asked.

"He doesn't talk to people. He used to be popular, then his mom died and now he thinks he's mysterious. Moody much?"

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, tell us about you, Ava. Where did you grow up?"

I smiled and launched into the story Genevieve and I had crafted: French-American heritage, raised in Monaco, homeschooled while traveling due to my diplomat father's job. Perfect grades. Fluent in three languages. Hobby: fencing.

They ate it up.

But across the room, Caleb Vale still watched me like he was waiting for me to crack.

And I had the unsettling feeling that he might be the first one here to see through me.

That night, I sat on my bed and pulled out the encrypted burner Genevieve gave me.

I typed one message:

Day One: Success. Target One secured. Caleb Vale… observant. Dangerous? Still assessing.

The reply came in seconds.

Observe. Do not engage. Not yet.

I closed the phone, locked it in the hollow book on my shelf, and laid back.

The game had started.

And I was already winning.

But Caleb Vale? He was going to be a problem.

Or worse...

A temptation.