Page 59 of Rite of Unity

“Strip.”

I peeled off my clothes, tossing my bag on the floor.

Vera crossed the massive room I hadn’t had time to explore and began yanking hangers aside.

“This will be the quickest.”

I stepped out of my dress and she rushed me, dragging cream fabric down my body.

I poked my head through, pulled the sleeves over my shoulders and bent to find my pin in the pile of fabric on the floor.

Vera turned me around and began doing buttons up my back while I slid the pin over the fabric, securing it at my collarbone.

“Go,” she commanded.

I rushed out, dashing down the stairs and back out the front door.

“Faster,” Paul yelled and I nearly tripped.

With his tablet out, drones buzzed around his head, waiting for commands.He looked up.

“Honey, breathe.”

I did.And again.When my chest rose and fell at normal speed, he gave me a tight smile, muttering something about his lot in life.“Just look up like you’ve never seen a more beautiful home.Thenslowly… walk up the stairs.”

I looked down, straightening my skirts, then shook out my hands and stared up at the gorgeous home I’d be staying in for the next several weeks.

Hopefully.

“That’s it.Smile.”Fingers tapped the tablet, and the drones were off, each going in its own direction.“I saidsmile.”

I relaxed my mouth and tried again.Serene.Calm.I would love to live here.

“Open the door.”

I did, stepping inside as if for the first time.I spun in a slow circle, letting some of my awe show.

“Good.Good!Now… Up the stairs.Slowly.”

I moved, letting my skirts swish.

“A goddess."

I smiled, letting my hand slide along the railing.

“Stop.”

I froze.

“Mother above!What’s that?”

I glanced down at my nails, wincing.“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no time to fix it.Just keep your hands in the folds of your dress.Vera!You have work to do.”

I took another step, and another.When I reached the top step, one of the doors along the hall slammed.

Paul’s fingers flew over his tablet.“Vera!”