Page 80 of Rite of Unity

“Are you sure I should show so… much?”

Her eyes met mine in my bathroom mirror.

“This is your dating phase.Remind him why he chose you.”

She lifted both brows.“Stand.”

I did, and Vera moved behind me, sweeping my curls aside.The kiss of cold air on my naked shoulders made me shiver.

Blue silk slid across my throat, and I touched it.“Vera—”

Her sharp gaze cut me off before the rest of the words left my mouth.

“Do you trust me?”

I stifled a snort.

Her scowl deepened.

“Fine.You have no reason to trust me.”

She exhaled a breath.

“I don’t think you understand how this works.Stylists who get girls at the bottom get cut.”

Her hand rested on her hip.

“When they paired me with you, I knew.”She bit her lip.“I knew they were trying to get rid of me.”

Her brows pinched, and I turned around to face her.

“When the Cannon baby was born—”

She waved a hand in front of her face.

“Maryn, I’m lucky to be alive.”

I reached for her, wrapping my arms around her.

She was a woman surviving on borrowed time.Not someone with a plan.Just someone who knew exactly how disposable they were.

I released her and she searched my face.

“Look.I don’t want to scare you, but girls from the Middle don’t make it this far in the trials.”

I squeezed her hand.“I know.”

Her eyes widened.

“Do you also know girls don’t usually go home at this stage?”

I stilled, goosebumps rising along the nape of my neck.

She released my hand, backing up.“I’m sorry.That’s not true.I was just trying to scare you.”

I stood, my hands finding each other behind my back and lacing together.“I have to go down.”

Vera turned, picking up bottles and tubes, organizing my vanity.“Good luck."