Page 71 of Rite of Unity

Behind me voices continued murmuring to one another, and my own voice played back: “Elias was teaching me to drive.”

***

The driverless car pulled up to my new home, and I slid out.I could still feel the jolt of the car, picture Elias's wide eyes in the headlights.

I shook my head, tugging the large wooden door wide and moved a little unsteadily up the stairs.

“There you are.Mother Damn, you took forever.”

Vera stood at the top of the stairs, hand on her hip as she took me in.“You truly live to make my life one impossible challenge after another, don’t you?I have an hour—one hour—to get you ready.”

Her gaze slid to my hands, and I curled my fingers to hide my nails.

She turned, moving down the hall ahead of me.I watched the back of her head a moment before following.

I reached my room and stepped inside, crossing and sinking onto the bed, face down.

“Absolutely not.Get up.Shower.”

I lay buried in the blanket, head covered.A pale leg flashed in my mind, forcing my eyes open.I pushed up and exhaled a long sigh.

An hour later, I stood in the foyer, tugging my low silk gown up for the third time.

Vera had worked efficiently, combing out my hair, then piling it atop my head in styled waves.Would she have been so gentle if she’d known I gave her name so easily during my trial?But she must know; she had been through it already.Knew the questions they asked.

A knock sounded at the front door, and I stepped forward, pushing it open.

Elias beamed at me, eyes sparkling.“Maryn.”

He held out a hand, and I glanced down at it.

His smile faltered.“Everything okay?”

I looked up.Words, Maryn.

“Yes.I…” I slid my gloved hand into his outstretched one.

He turned, not waiting for me to say more, leading me down the stairs.We reached the bottom step, and I looked up, halting.

He reached for the door to a black car, the same black car, and held it open.

I exhaled through my nose.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said.“Do you like surprises?”

I took in his relaxed expression, the smoothness of his brows.

“Yes.”

He nodded, tugging me closer and I glanced inside the car.The interior was exactly as it had been in my trial.

He waited, watching me more closely now.“Maryn, are you well?”

I looked up.“What if we just talk out here?”

His gaze raked over my thin dress.“In that?”He laughed.“You’ll freeze.”

I nodded, goosebumps rolling down my exposed back.