I WOKE THE NEXT DAY with my head in my hands. If it was possible for a brain to throb, that was exactly what mine was doing.
There was a gentle knock on my door, breaking me from my thoughts.
“Ava?” Mallory’s voice came through my door while I sat on my bed, trying to breathe through my nerves. “It’s time to go.”
What the hell was I going to say when they asked me how strong I was? Was it one of those tests where all I needed to do was answer verbally? Or would I be required to prove my answer to them?
Surely, I could hide my strength. I could lie. I could downplay my talent. How hard could it be faking weakness?
I knew women did it all the time. Why else would there be terms like “shrinking violet” and “wallflower”?
I stood up and cleared my throat. It didn’t matter. I had a trial I
