Page 130 of Rite of Unity

The blood drained from my face, my steps faltering, and I nearly tipped sideways.

His fingers dug into my side, his other hand holding me in place, and I steadied myself, inhaling small gasping breaths.Suddenly, the dress was a cage around my lungs, tightening with each inhale.

We continued to move, my feet leaden as he dragged me in circles.

“Breathe, Maryn.Fuck.I’m sorry.”

His words were fuzzy, coming in and out of focus.

Failed.I had failed?

“Maryn, look at me.”

Distantly, I was aware of the song ending, of us stopping.Elias led us off the dance floor to a corner.He knelt until we were eye level.

“Maryn.I’m not eliminating you.”

His words filtered through my foggy brain as I sucked in several more breaths.He looked around the room, then back to me.

Paul was there, waving a hand in my face.“Twelve.Snap out of it.Cameras.”He drew his fingers up on either side of his lips.“Big smile.”

My gaze shot to the cameras in the corners, and I inhaled a long breath, then another.

Elias was back, handing me a cup.

“Maryn.I have to go.Did you hear what I said?Don’t worry.”

I nodded, taking another deep breath.

Elias moved to the center of the room, where the drones swiveled to face him.

Paul shook his head, melting back into the crowd, and I leaned against a marble pillar in my dark corner.

“Under Covenant.One purpose.”Elias said at the end of his speech.

“For the sons we carry forward,” I mumbled.

I scanned the room, breath evening out with each exhale.

Soft fingers ran down my back, and I stilled.They traced a path north, following my spine.My breath caught.I knew without turning who it was.I always knew.

I leaned back, my veins warming even as my pulse slowed.

“What did he say to you?”Calden’s soft words carried from behind the pillar.

I said nothing, pressing against the hand still running up and down my back in soothing lines.I shouldn’t have.I couldn’t stop myself.

“If he threatened you… Because of me—”

“He didn’t.”

“I won’t let him hurt you.”

Something in my chest pulled tight.I wanted to believe him.That was the problem.

My grip on the stem of my glass tightened.“You’ll get me eliminated.”

His fingers stilled.