Page 152 of Rite of Unity

I handed it to him, and he wrapped it over an arm, lifting it to his nose.

My cheeks heated as he turned away.

“Calden?”

He spun back, eyes meeting mine with a spark of interest.

“Thank you.”

Disappointment crossed his face, there and gone in a moment.I said nothing.The farm wasn’t reality.This room was.

He dipped his chin, sitting on the edge of my window and dropping from view.

Chapter 37

Maryn

Itouchedmytabletscreento check the time.Trial Nine was confirmed for Thursday, which meant I had nothing to do today and tomorrow.

Should I call a chaperone and see more of the Center?Go to the lake?

A twinge of something uncomfortable burned in my stomach.Not the lake.

The front door rattled.Not a knock.A fist, again and again, demanding entry.

I stilled, moving to my bedroom door and pressing my ear against it, my heart beating loudly.

A man was speaking to someone in the foyer.

“Maryn Veil.Daughter of Joel Veil.”

My blood ran cold, and I stumbled backward.No.I’m too close.Three days.

“By order of the Covenant States, we require entry into the premises.”

Lucen will never forgive me.

Boots pounded up the stairs, and my body moved before my mind did, gaze shooting to the window.

I jumped when knuckles wrapped loudly against my door.

“Maryn Veil.”

I cleared my throat, glancing at the window again.

“Come in.”My voice squeaked out barely above a whisper.“Come in.”

Two men in black uniforms stepped through the door, guns at the ready.

“Maryn Veil, daughter of Joel Veil?”

“Yes?”My fingers laced together in my lap to keep from biting and tearing at the nails.

“You are under arrest on suspicion of leaving your home unchaperoned.”

Calden.The window.The night I’d climbed back in, hoping no one had seen.

My mouth opened, cottony and dry.Closed.There was nothing to say that would stop what came next.