Page 62 of Rite of Unity

I took the spoon, stirred the oats in a small circle, and bit my lip.“Thanks.”

She nodded and turned, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

On my way to my room, I passed a closed door.Behind it, Sera's voice, then Lydia's laugh.

I closed myself in my room and exhaled when it clicked.I set the bowl on the side table, the oats already cooling.

In the adjoining bathroom, a small hexagon sat in the dish by the sink.White, with flecks of oat pressed into it.A honeycomb on its face.I picked it up, turning it over before lifting it to my nose and closing my eyes.

At the sink, I watched the lather build between my fingers and held my hands under the water longer than I needed to, then set the soap back carefully.

Back in my room, I touched my tablet, and the screen on the far wall flickered to life.

Lifting my spoon to my lips, I blew as I sank onto the bed.

Announcers flew through progressing Rites all around the city, their voices beginning to blur together as I leaned back.My oatmeal was cold the next time I took a bite, and I frowned down at it.

A sound to my right had me jerking my head toward the window.I sat up, tossing my bowl on the table beside me.

A dark head of hair burst through my open window, followed by a set of broad shoulders, and I glanced wildly around for a weapon—anything I could use for protection.

Calden Charles looked up, and I froze.

“It starts this week, Greg.”

My gaze darted to the TV where two people were facing the camera.

I looked back to the window as Calden climbed through, setting a boot down on my new white rug.

“What are you doing?”I demanded, heart hammering.

“I wanted to see where they stashed you.”

“What?”I threw my legs over the side of my bed, hopping up and backing toward the door.“Get out of here.”I pressed a hand behind my back, feeling for the handle.

He held up his hands.“I don’t bite.”

My grip on the handle tightened.“Do you know what someone would think—what they would do—if they found you in here?”

He took a step.“No one will know.”

He said it like the Monday alarms were someone else’s problem.I tensed, my shoulder blades pressing into the door.

His gaze darted down, as if he could sense my next move.

“What will you do?Tell them a man is in your room?”His brow rose slowly.

I surged away from the door, putting myself between him and the room.“Stop.Turn around and go back out the way you came in.”

He halted.

I crossed to the window in three steps, giving him a wide berth, and pointed outside.My heart slammed against my ribs.He knew what would happen to me if someone found him here.He had to know.

Calden looked at my hand, then at my face.

He tucked his hands in his pockets.

“Look, no one would barge into your room on a Monday.I just thought you’d like some company.”He glanced around the room.“You're in a strange new place.Away from your family for the first time.”