Page 171 of Rite of Unity

Lydia darted past me, not to the door, but to the discarded knife.

My fist connected with her wrist before she reached it.The knife clattered to the ground.

She was stronger than I'd anticipated.Her shove sent me back, the floor knocking the air from my lungs, her weight landing on my chest a moment later.Fingers closed around my throat.

I hadn't planned for this.Lydia dead created problems I didn't have time for.

My fingers found the knife anyway.The handle was solid, cold.

I drove it in and felt the give—that wrong, unmistakable resistance before the body stops fighting.

She slumped against me, her weight settling like a stone.Hot blood soaked into my shirt, sticky against my skin.

I shoved her off, touching her neck.Nothing.

Lydia lay face down, crimson pooling around her.

“Calden,” Maryn wheezed.

I slid a hand under her head.She was so light.Like something wild that had never belonged in a cage.Yet I had left her in one.Her skin was colder than it should be, the bruising at her throat already darkening.I had to look away from it to think straight.

I held up two fingers.“How many do you see?”

Her nose wrinkled as she squinted.“Four.”

I would have given anything to hear her say two.

“You need to see a doctor.”

“No,” she breathed.Her hands lifted, wrapping around my fingers.“Is she dead?”

I nodded.

Her eyes were still unfocused.My heart threw itself against my ribs.

“You have to get rid of the body.”

A dry, brittle sound escaped me.“How will you explain what happened to you?”

Some of the fog seemed to lift.“Bring my tablet?”

I found it on her table and set it in her upturned palm.She touched the screen, thumb hovering over the emergency button.

“You have to leave.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”I brushed a strand of hair back from her face.“I’ll stay until someone comes.”

Her dilated eyes narrowed.“Are you an idiot?”

For you, yes.Always.

I exhaled a shaky laugh.“At least let me help you sit up.”

She nodded, wrapping clammy fingers around my arm and pressing a hand to the floor.

Slowly, I lifted her head, eyes darting between her pupils, her mouth.

“Okay?”