Page 96 of Rite of Unity

“Women can’t even get in without someone with high-level security clearance,” Rakel went on.I scanned the pantry shelf for anything appealing.“They have some of the worst in there!Behind glass, of course.”

“Do you remember what they were?”Beth asked.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Sera and Lydia step away from Rakel.I ignored them, reaching for an apple, then a second.

“The Handmaid’s Tale and… oh!The Hunger Games.”

I turned back to my glass and raised a brow.Sera and Lydia scattered as though they’d been caught.I exhaled a sigh.

“The Awakening,” Rakel said, and Beth gasped.

“No!”

Rakel nodded.

I reached for my glass, but Nami beat me to it, snatching it up and dumping its contents out.She glanced up.“Never leave your drinks unattended in this house.”

She set the glass into the sink and reached for a new one.

I stared between her and the sink for a moment before taking the new one and filling it.

“Thanks.”

She nodded.“Now tell me everything about tonight.”

My hand itched to touch where his lips had been, but I squeezed my fingers at my sides.

“You first.”

Nami’s smile stretched ear to ear.“Well, it was better than last time.But…”

She looked down.The ringing in my ears quieted as I searched her face.“But?”

She looked up.“He didn’t kiss me.”Her cheeks darkened.“I know he didn’t have to.It doesn’t always happen during private dates.”She bit her lip.“But it’s a good sign.You know?”

I nodded numbly.

She straightened.“Your turn.”

My fingers lifted to my cheek.“He kissed me.”

My tablet buzzed in my pocket.I slid it out.

Welcome to Trial Six.

Chapter 23

Maryn

Myeyesflewopen,and I sat up, throwing back the covers.The air tasted like ash.A scream tore down the hall; I scrambled to the door.

I wrapped a hand around it, hissing at the heat, but yanked it open.Scorching air blasted my face.Overhead, thick black smoke billowed.

A wail erupted behind the closest door, and I wrapped my nightgown around the handle, twisting.“Oh, mother and child,” I cried, darting in and scooping up a small boy.He buried his face in my shoulder, crying louder.

“Hush, child.I’ll get you out.”

I raced for the door and wrapped my arms over his head to protect him from the flames surging overhead.