Page 50 of Rite of Unity

“The tally is all I need from you, Charles.”

He crossed his arms over his chest.“First, Nami.Second, Maryn.Third, Sera.Fourth, Beth.Fifth, Phoebe.Sixth, Lydia.Seventh, Rakel.Eighth, Abi.Ninth, Hannah.”

I pressed my lips together to keep my mouth from falling open.“You know them by heart.”

“By heart.”His lips twisted into a mockery of a smile.

“Thanks.”

“Room ten-eleven.”

I turned, yanking the door open and marching out.

There was something about him I didn’t like.He always seemed like he knew a joke no one else did.But a man with access to every surveillance camera in the Covenant States probably did.

In the private space, I slid the first tape in, the ranking circling my mind.A smile tipped my lips.Rakel in seventh was a surprise, but it wasn’t last.I didn’t know what I would have done if she had been.Nami first was also a surprise, but I would have put her in the top three for this test regardless.

She was bubbly and sweet.Exactly what a mom of teenage boys should be.

My pulse thrummed.Second.Maryn was second.

Nami’s face lit up on screen.She pointed to a boy and asked him to stand.

“Tell me your favorite government official.”

He slid out of his seat.“Elias Hale.”

Nami smiled, her cheeks dimpling.“He is handsome, isn’t he?”

The boy laughed.“I mean.For you.I just think he’s cool.He sent that girl Mara’s family flowers and food.You don’t see a lot of guys doing that for a fallen match.”

Nami tucked a curl behind her ear.“Do you want to know a secret?”

He leaned against his desk, and it was obvious to anyone watching that he was already smitten.

“I think that was the day I fell for him.”

My lips curled up.She was so damn cute.

I paused the video, tucking it back in my pocket, and slid in number two.

“Today, I’m going to let you teach me something.How does that sound?”

The camera loved Maryn.It found her good side and circled the room, landing on her again.Her gray eyes sparkled as the boys in the room beat their desks excitedly.It was a first for our future leaders.Someone giving them the power.How they must have adored her for it.

“Who wants to go first?”

Several boys’ hands shot up.She searched the room, biting her lip.They waved their hands higher, trying to get her attention.Then, she did something unexpected and called on a boy who wasn’t raising his hand.

“How about you?”

It was Ben.Lydia’s younger brother.

I sat back in my chair.

He looked around the room, pushing his glasses up his nose.“Me?”

Someone laughed.