Page 106 of Rite of Unity

She looked up and laughed.“Come on.You can’t really be as proper as you act, Maryn.”

She sobered, eyeing me.“If you were really from the Middle, I might believe it.We were brainwashed there, but Elite fathers all have skeletons.If they aren’t alcoholics, they beat their wives.”

My grip tightened on my spoon.

Nami’s eyes widened, and she set her bowl beside her on the bed.“Shit.I’m sorry, Maryn.”She held out a hand, but I was frozen.“It’s just the way women talk to each other here.It’s cruel, and I’m sorry.Forget I said anything.”

Slowly, my fingers relaxed, and I exhaled.“No.You’re right.”I shook my head.“Dad’s not perfect.”

Nami dropped her hand.“We don’t have to talk about it.I forget how rigid it is in the Middle, even at home.”

Heat crept up my cheeks, and I looked down.“It’s nice to know things are different in the Center.More open.”

Nami snorted.

I looked up as she shook her head.“Men don’t admit to beating their wives here either, but daughters aren’t as afraid to gossip about it.”

I nodded, pretending to understand.

A knock sounded at the door, and we both looked up.

“Yes?”Nami asked.

“Maryn Veil.Is she in there?”

I stood, rushing to the door and threw it open.“Paul?”

He looked me over, clearly disapproving of my house attire.“Come on, Twelve.I need you.”

Nami shooed me out, closing the door behind us.Paul followed me down the hall, but stopped outside my door.

“What is it?”

He glanced past me, int my room, eyes landing on my tablet.“Never leave that behind.”

I picked it up, touching the screen.

Welcome to Trial Seven.

I ran the pad of my thumb along the edge of the tablet, swiping to the next screen.Ice chilled my veins as I looked up.“But why are you here?”

“I have your first pill.”

I raised a hand and watched as he dropped a large white oval onto my palm.

“What does it do?”

Paul raised an eyebrow.“Did you read the instructions?”

“So that’s it?It just keeps me awake?”

He shrugged.“I guess you’ll find out.”

I swallowed the dryness in my throat.

“Calm down, Twelve, no one’s ever died from lack of sleep.”

“Why did you come?Instead of Vera?Or a nurse?”