Page 172 of Rite of Unity

She dipped her chin a fraction, but even that movement cost her, and she groaned.Her eyes found mine, and she touched the side of her head lightly.I winced as she hissed and dropped her hand.

It was already swelling.

“Don’t try to move.Wait for them to get here.”I searched her face.“Promise.”

She tried to nod; thought better of it.“Yes.”

I eased my hand out from under her head, sitting back on my heels.

“Calden?”

I reached for the scrap of blue silk discarded on the floor.“Yeah?”

“Go.”

Lifting her wrist, I pressed my lips to her knuckles and wrapped the ribbon around it, looping it into a bow.I settled my mouth againstmyribbon, and inhaled.Honey and oats.

“Call them now.”

“When you’re outside.”

I stepped over the body, careful not to leave any bloody footprints, and surveyed the scene for signs that anyone had been there besides Lydia and Maryn.Finding nothing, I climbed through the window.

I didn’t look back.If I did, I’d never leave.

Chapter 43

Elias

Thetabletwasalreadyin my hand before I was fully awake.

Four fifty-three.I’d beaten my alarm by seven minutes.I set it down, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and reached for it again out of habit, thumb already moving to the workout log.

Two notifications appeared.

I opened the first.

Maryn Veil, daughter of Joel Veil, admitted to Covenant Hospital.11:42 p.m.Head trauma and strangulation bruising.Stable.

I was on my feet before I finished reading.

The second notification loaded as I moved toward my closet, yanking a shirt from its hanger.

Incident report: Rite House.

Deceased: Lydia Cannon.

Responding Covenant officer notes injuries inconsistent with statement given by M.Veil.Witness reporter S.Cannon places an unidentified male exiting the premises at approximately 11:29 p.m.

Investigation ongoing.

I stood in the middle of my room, shirt in my hand.

Lydia was dead.Maryn was in the hospital.

And Sera had seen a man.

I dressed in under two minutes.