Page 31 of Rite of Unity

Her cheeks reddened, and she spun toward me.“That was dumb, I know.It's just.Well.You got one so maybe I could too.”

My heart drummed as I glanced around.

“Maryn.”

We turned, and Paul gave Ruth a once-over.“We need you.”

I nodded, squeezing Ruth’s hand before releasing it to follow him to the center of the room.I stopped at the edge of the group, staring at the back of a dozen perfectly styled heads.Someone at the front was giving directions, but I couldn’t hear them.“Excuse me,” I said, pushing into the middle of the group.

“He’s just telling us we’ll be lined up in order of selection,” a girl said beside me.Her dress was dove white and hugged her curves all the way to the floor.With our stylists, it was impossible for me to tell which girls had been Elite and which had been from the Middle.

My gaze drifted to her hands, lacing and unlacing in front of her.

“I’m Mara,” she whispered.

My gaze shot to her.Her face was open, a touch of her nerves plain in the bunch between her brows.

“Maryn.”

“Yes.Everyone knows you.The down–on–one–knee match.”

My lips tipped up.

“Let’s go.Line up.”

Mara fell into line after several others, and I moved to stand at the end.So Mara was number seven.I tried and failed to remember her match.It hadn’t gotten much screen time on Monday recaps.Definitely from the Middle.

Something brushed my fingers, and I spun around.A group of people stood around mingling and chatting, but none looked at me.

“Twelve.Yes.Hello.Over here.”

I turned back to face the producer overseeing tonight’s event.

“When he comes out, I want you all watching.Adoring.”He met each of our eyes.“That’s your man, ladies.The world wants to see it.”

Someone clapped.

“Simmer down, Six.”

A few of the women giggled.

Paul was there, his mini drones buzzing around his head.I stared at one as it zoomed around me.“Eyes straight ahead, Twelve.”Paul gave me an exasperated look.“The camera loves anonymity.”

I nodded.

“Move.He’s inbound.”Another producer waved his arms, and everyone who wasn’t a contestant disappeared into the crowd.Drones whirred overhead, and I tried to ignore them.The lights dimmed, and a single spotlight bounced off a massive door in the corner.

My pulse thrummed at my throat as a beat of silence fell over the room.

The collective breath expelled as one when the door swung wide, and Elias stepped in.

Lights flashed, drones hummed, and even I was caught up in the spectacle, lifting on my toes to see him over the crowd’s slow parting.He shook hands, stopped to say hello to guests, all while we stood.Silent.Waiting.

He ignored us.Gaze everywhere but on the twelve girls lined up and waiting for him.

My smile slipped before I could catch it.The other girls held theirs perfectly.

My hands laced behind my back, and my thumb found the tips of my gloves.