Page 112 of Rite of Unity

We crossed a room rapidly filling with guests.My head swam; it might have been the lack of sleep or the stomach only filled with a handful of crackers, but it was more likely that it was my uncertain fate.

We reached the wall, a set of metal doors blocking our path, and I spun to face Elias.

“Please, Elias.”His brow furrowed, but I barreled on.“If you’re going to eliminate me tonight, please don’t make me wait.Just let me leave now.”

Elias’s free hand found my chin, tipping it up until I stared into his bright blue eyes.“I only wanted to show you the view before anyone else.”

I stared at him.

“Because I know how afraid of heights you are.”

My mouth opened.

“The view is worth it.I would be heartbroken if you said no.”

“What?”

His hand fell away from my chin.“Maryn, I want to show you the view outside the wall.It’s why the ball was held in Security Headquarters.”

I nodded dumbly, and he pushed the door open.We stepped into a cramped room, and I glanced around.“There’s no chaperone.”

“Only two people fit.”

“But.”

Elias laid a hand on my arm, and I jolted.His hand fell away, giving me space.“I can call one to stand at the bottom of the stairs, if you prefer.”

I nodded, unable to meet his eyes.

He backed up in the cramped space, stepping through the door and in moments, he had returned with a woman in gray by his side.

“You’ll have to climb up,” he said.

I swallowed, staring up into the dark space.

“I’ll go after you to ensure you’re steady.”

I met his eyes, searching them before nodding.

Wrapping a hand around cold metal, I set my shoe on the bottom bar, grateful that Vera had given me flat shoes tonight.I reached up for the next bar and stepped up with my other foot at the same time.

“You’re doing great,” Elias said.

The sudden urge to shout at him, to tell him Iwasn’tdoing great, that I was surviving on the drugs in my bloodstream and nothing more, was all-consuming.My grip tightened on the bar, and I hefted myself up.

When I’d repeated the process half a dozen times, my heart rattled my ribcage.I closed my eyes, swallowing slowly.

Warm fingers brushed my ankle.

I didn’t look down.

I lifted one foot.Then the other.

My arms curled around the bars as I pulled myself up.

Air filtered into my lungs in short bursts, and the room swayed, but I hugged the bar to my chest.One arm.Then the other.One foot.Which foot?The left one.

“Two more,” Elias whispered.“It will be worth it.I promise.”