Page 151 of Rite of Unity

I straightened, looking around before moving to the wall beneath my window and reaching overhead.The dark and his black coat were the only things keeping him hidden in the shadow of my building.

The ledge was just out of reach.I jumped, catching it.

A sound behind me that might have been a laugh made my grip falter, and I dropped to the ground heavily.

I jumped again, catching the ledge and straining to pull myself up.My weak muscles shook before I dropped to the ground once more.

I spun around.“It’s not funny.”

He sobered, a hint of a smile tugging the corner of his lips.“Let me help you.”

I squeezed my hands into fists at my sides.

“Someone could look out their window at any moment,” he reminded me.

A chill ran into my veins, kicking my heart rate up.

“Fine.”

He stepped forward, but instead of reaching down to lift me up or wrapping his arms around my waist, he reached into his pocket.“Here.”

A bolt of ice shot through me.I’d nearly forgotten.

I lifted a shaking arm, sliding the coat sleeve back, and Calden looped a blue ribbon around my wrist.

“Why did you have that with you?”

I pressed my lips shut, wishing I could take the words back.

He finished tying the bow and looked up.“I had planned to use it.”

Something fiery erupted in my chest.Who for?The question formed before I could stop it, but I buried it.

“I see.”

“Ready?”

I nodded, and he stepped forward, gripping my hips tightly.Heat of a different kind burned my insides.He lifted me until my fingers caught the ledge, and I hauled myself up.

Calden pulled himself up beside me.

My mouth hung open.

He smirked, but said nothing as we repeated the same dance, and I fell through my window, wincing at the sound.

I held my breath, listening for footsteps approaching.

When no doors opened, no feet shuffled, I waved him in.

Calden climbed through my window far more gracefully than I had and straightened to his full height, staring down at me.

He held out a hand.

I took it, and his nearness sent tiny shockwaves down my spine.“You probably have things to do and I—”

“I only wanted to collect my coat,” he cut me off.

“Right.”I slid my hand from his, unbuttoning his coat and peeling it off.After being wrapped in it for so many hours, I felt exposed, cold in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature.