Page 53 of Rite of Unity

I stepped forward, taking her hand in mine.“Hannah, look at me.”

She blinked, wiping black streaks across her face.

I pulled her into a hug, and her shoulders stilled.Pressing my lips to the side of her head, I whispered, “You will find a perfect match.Men will come looking for you after this.”

She shook her head against my shoulder.

“I’ve heard Deena is already matched again.”

She lifted her head, sniffling.“Really?”

I smiled.“Come on, let me get you out before the cameras get a look at your face.”

She touched a glove to her cheek, and her face crumpled.

I took her hand, and together, we strode to the side exit.

She stopped outside, staring up at me.“I’m sorry I let you down.”

I pulled her into another hug.“You didn’t.I promise.”

Chapter 15

Maryn

Ilookedupfromthetablet screen and slid out of my seat.

“Angel, get your dad a drink while you’re up?”

I nodded, lifting the tablet and reading as I walked.

Maryn Veil.Report to one-hundred-sixty-seventh street at four p.m.today for testing.

I swiped.

There was no second screen.

“Angel?”

“One second, Dad.”

A chair scraped and the tablet clattered to the table.“I’m getting it, Dad.”

He sat heavily, and I exhaled.

I reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a slender glass bottle, twisting the top off and bringing it to the breakfast table.

“Two would have been nice.”

“You’re right.I wasn’t thinking.”

I grabbed a second bottle and set it beside the first.

He patted my knee.“Good girl.”

I smiled, grabbing the tablet and tapping the screen.Finding my inbox, I scanned the titles of each former message.All the previous messages had been long, detailed.Why was this one so short?

It wasn’t labeled Trial Five.