Page 178 of Rite of Unity

She scooted closer, reaching for my hand.

The small jolt of electricity I’d felt the first time she touched my hand all those years ago was noticeably absent.I stared down at our interlaced fingers.Once, I’d wanted nothing more than this moment.Now, the person I wanted to hold hands with wasn’t the girl sitting across from me.

Rakel would always be my first.My first crush.My first kiss.But I no longer wanted her to be my last.

The thought warmed something in my chest.

Her deep brown eyes met mine.“Elias, I wanted to thank you for inviting me to your Rite.“But… I don’t want to be second."she looked down."I want to be someone’s everything.”

I squeezed her fingers.“I understand.”

Her smile was back, and I was momentarily transported to the day we’d met.That smile had been the reason I’d stopped her in the hall.That and the fact that she was singing to herself despite a hall lined with boys.

“I loved you,” she said.“You’ll always have a place in my heart.”

In that moment, I knew exactly what she meant.Rakel would always be with me, too.

The words settled over me, warm and final.

My stomach dropped.

She can’t go home.

I was on my feet before I’d finished the thought, pulling her up with me.“Rakel.”I lowered my voice.“Listen to me carefully.You cannot go home tonight.”

Her brow furrowed.“Elias—”

“Trust me.”I tugged her toward the door.“Brian.”

My new aide appeared in the hallway, looking between Rakel and me.There was a tug in my chest.It wasn’t Micah.It would never be Micah again.

“We need to get her out of the city.She’s not safe.”

He swallowed, looking between us.

Was I making a grave mistake asking this man I didn’t know to help?He’d been on my father’s detail for years, had been around me for just as long, but trust had to be earned.

“I have family in New Michigan.”

I exhaled.“Tell no one.I’ll make sure nothing happens to them.”

He dipped his chin.

I turned back to Rakel, who was staring at us both wide-eyed.

“Go with him.Don’t contact anyone.”

Her fingers trembled in mine, and I tightened my grip before letting go.

She nodded.

I watched Brian guide her toward the door.She didn’t look back.I pressed a hand flat against the doorframe and stood there long after the sound of their footsteps faded.

Chapter 45

Maryn

OnMonday,I’dwatchedthe window for hours, sure he would come and ask me to abandon the mission and leave with him again.I might not have said no this time.Finally, hunger drove me downstairs.