Page 19 of Rite of Unity

"Of course."

Ruth nodded, but shuffled her feet, biting her lip.

She hugged me tighter, dropping her voice."Oh!Execution day is Thursday.Will you come with me?"

I stared at her.

"I haven't been in a while.It makes me feel safer knowing they're doing something about the rebel insurrection."

"Miss Finch?"

Ruth’s nails stabbed my arm even through her gloves as she turned us slowly.

“Mr.Silva.”

Josh dipped his chin, and we both curtseyed.“May I?”He looked between us.“Steal you away?”

Her cheeks went pink, but her hold on my arm loosened, and she held out a hand.

Then she was gone, swallowed by the crowd, and I was left standing with my thoughts.

I scanned the room, thinking again of those girls.Joe’s girls.Sunday was my day off.I would take the day to comb the streets.I would force my mother to come with me if I had to.

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and I turned.

A man I didn't recognize watched me from the shadow in the corner, dark eyes almost lost in the pitch.Around him, citizens moved and preened.He was the only thing that didn't.

I should have looked away.

I stared back a moment too long, my feet shifting toward him.

A murmur rose through the crowd, and I spun around, my stomach dropping.Swaths of white fabric parted like a tide, a golden head of hair bisected the room, moving confidently.His midnight coat was swallowed by the low lighting, making his hair stand out even more than usual.

Light eyes struck their mark, pinning me in place.

Before I could move, think, he was in front of me.

I glanced back toward the corner.

Empty.

“Maryn.”

I swallowed.

“Mr.Hale.”

His jaw ticked.“Elias.Remember?”

I lifted my chin, but the room was watching.The world was watching.I felt the cold eyes of the camera.Now it made sense why they were filmingthisball when so many others were happening around our sector.

They had known he was coming.

“Elias.”

His mouth quirked up at the corner as though he’d just won this round.

“May I have this dance?”