Page 66 of Rite of Unity

I was fifteen when my period arrived, and with it, my first trip to the Covenant Reproductive Center in my district.It had gone just like this.My hip and breast measurements had been recorded along with my weight.But I hadn’t been given any regimen.

I bit my lip as we slid forward.

When Beth stepped onto the scale, the nurse frowned, typing faster than before.

Beth’s cheeks were flaming red as she stepped down.

“You’ll need to see me again on Thursday,” the nurse said, shaking her head.“Your proportions are unhealthy.The likelihood of pregnancy reduces drastically with each extra pound.”

Beth’s eyes were shining by the time she ran past our group.

When it was my turn, I stepped up, hugging my arms across my chest.

“Arms down.”

I lowered my hands to my side, staring straight ahead.

“Light.I’ll recommend more meat in your diet.”

She held up the device at the end of her tablet, and her brows furrowed.“Hips are good, but your breasts are small.”She tapped her device furiously.“Go get changed and meet back down here.You’ll benefit from weight training.”

I pursed my lips, saying nothing as I stepped down.

Behind me, women were already moving to pick up weights or jump ropes.Everyone who needed to adjust something had stayed.Sera and Lydia didn’t need to, they had been training for a Rite their entire lives.Of course they’d even trained for this.

Chapter 17

Maryn

Isqueezedmyhandsintofists at my sides, staring at the solid metal wall stretching into the dark corridor.I looked right, into the mirrored darkness, and my gaze snagged on the guard standing at attention.

I’d only ever seen them standing at the wall before.I didn’t delude myself into believing they were here formysafety.

Beside me, Phoebe coughed politely, and I glanced at her under my lashes.

Her palms were flat against the chair arms, and she stared straight ahead.Her flaxen hair was braided down her back, and the white garment she wore was even baggier than mine.

The door across from her banged open, and Beth stumbled out.I stiffened, but she caught herself, staring at the floor.

My pulse jumped as her shoulders straightened, and she marched down the hall the way we'd all come in that morning and disappeared.

Phoebe stood, glancing at me before going in.A guard stepped forward, closing the door behind her.

I ran a hand over my thin cotton gown.The biting cold in this sterile place made goosebumps rise hours earlier; I feared they may now be permanent.

The door across from me opened slowly.I got to my feet.Abi's fingers trailed the wall as she crept out, leaning against cold steel.

I moved toward her, but the guard standing closest to us cleared his throat to stop me.

She looked up and, gaze unfocused, slid her shoulder along the wall, easing slowly toward the exit.

My stomach dropped.

I watched her go, then stepped inside.

At the center, a flat metal table was flanked on all sides by trays of instruments and objects I had no name for.Behind it, a semi-sheer screen hung from the ceiling.Men in coats stood around it speaking softly.I cataloged everything—slowly, deliberately—because if I let myself feel it, I wouldn't move.

“Maryn Veil, daughter of Joel Veil?”