Page 102 of Rite of Unity

“Meet me in my office at eight a.m.tomorrow.”

I nodded.

His eye twitched, and I held myself rigidly.

“That’s it.Go.Get some ice.”

My hands unclasped behind my back, and I turned, marching past the small living room to the kitchen.

***

I turned my face in the mirror.I could ask Mother for a touch of her makeup, but it wasn’t worth the sadness I’d see in her eyes.I straightened my collar, stepping back.Better that my father face his mistakes in the light of day.

I waited outside his office, checking the time on my tablet.It was a quarter before, but I wouldn’t risk him arriving before me.

At eight-fifteen, I touched my tablet screen, scrolling through it until I found the latest message from Josh.

Hey man, I know you have a lot going on with your Rite, but I’d love to see you again.Compare notes.I’m a little lost on what to do with all the judges’ feedback.I thought I would choose Ruth, but Leila is really nice.Anyway, let me know if you have time for a chat this week.- Josh.

“Put that device away and stand up.”

I touched the screen, turning it off and sliding my tablet back into my pocket as I stood.

“A man doesn’t sit and wait.He stands.”August glanced at my face, looked away.“Let’s go.”

In the car, he stared out the window, and I followed his gaze.We stopped at the inner wall, waiting for it to open.Four armed guards joined us as we piled into an SUV large enough to fit everyone.

We continued through the Middle, and I leaned forward as we passed the final sign warning of radiation danger.

I looked at my father, but he remained silent as we continued into the Lower.

We stopped beside a building whose windows were completely blacked out.Unlike the ones around it, none of the glass was broken.I tipped my head back, counting five drones.If I could see that many, there were likely at least a dozen around this building.

What is this place?

My tablet beeped, and I slid it out of my pocket and touched the screen.A red line surrounded the pop-up message.

DANGER.YOU ARE NEARING A RADIATION ZONE.

August silenced his own warning and tucked his tablet in his pocket as his door opened.He climbed out.I followed, removing my sunglasses as we stepped inside.

Low lights flickered, and our steps echoed as we approached a desk.August waved his hand in front of the screen.It buzzed as the camera scanned him, then turned green.Beside us, a door slid open.

What was this much security doing so far outside the Center?

My gaze slid to my father as he strode through the door.I stuffed my hands into my pockets and followed.

Our guards remained behind as the door slid closed.

A frail man with wiry hair thinning on top rushed forward.“Mr.President, sir.We weren’t expecting you.”

He held out a hand, but my father didn’t budge.I ignored them all, my jaw grinding to keep the emotion off my face.In a room that seemed to stretch endlessly, rows upon rows of tables were lined up, and on each was a woman.

I stepped forward, but my father’s tongue clicked, halting me.

“Doctor Smith.I’ve brought my son to help him better understand how your research is changing our world for the better.”

Doctor Smith looked at me, extending his hand.Under other circumstances, I would have taken it, but I wasn’t prepared to shake hands with the man responsible for whatever this was.