Page 134 of Rite of Unity

“Elias?”

“Almost there.”

His words were clipped; my pulse galloped.

Finally, we slowed, pulling to a stop in front of a massive building with blacked-out windows.I leaned forward, swallowing when a drone circled overhead.

“My windows are one way,” Elias said.

“What is this place?”

He ran a hand through his hair, staring at the building illuminated by his headlights.“This is my father’s answer to making more sons.”

I inhaled sharply.From the outside, there was no way to tell what they did inside.Ben Cannon’s answer during my fourth trial came back to me.The one they had cut when they aired it on Monday.

“They’re working on serums to increase the likelihood of male offspring.”

I hadn’t spent much time thinking about it then.Now, pieces of a puzzle were beginning to fit together.

“What happens in there, Elias?”

He angled himself toward me, searching my face, and his jaw tightened.

“It doesn’t matter.When I’m president, I’ll put a stop to it.This facility, the new law, all of it.”

He was the most powerful man in the nation, save his father.And he was making promises about some day.

A hysterical laugh burst out of me.I slapped a hand over my mouth.Too late.

His lips pressed into a flat line.“You don’t believe me.”

I sat back, unable to look at him.“Take me home.”

“Maryn.”

“Please.”

Elias ground his teeth together, but I stared straight ahead.His eyes burned the side of my face.

“I’m not like other men.I wouldn’t leave you after five years.”He slammed his hand against the steering wheel, and I jumped.“After ten years… ever.”

I said nothing, the tightness growing in my chest with each moment we didn’t move.

He looked away.

The car circled around, pulling onto the main road, and he pressed down on the pedal.

When we reached the Middle, familiar street signs twisted my gut.I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to see them and be reminded of my once naive life.

The car slowed, and I blinked, glancing around.We stopped in the middle of the street.

Elias turned toward me, reaching for my hand.

I flinched back, and he halted, hurt painted across his face.

“I didn’t know.I swear.”

A flush of heat rose in my chest, an angry cloud of rage I couldn’t suppress any longer.I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.I didn’t have words.I couldn’t muster another lie to placate this man.