Page 90 of Rite of Unity

Calden leaned over me.A finger traced the line of my ribs, light as a feather, and I went still.

“Here.”His voice was quiet.“A blade, or anything sharp—slid between the ribs.”The finger moved, following the groove.“will incapacitate a man long enough for you to run.”

His eyes found mine and I forgot to breathe.

Goosebumps chased his touch.

“What—” I inhaled.“Are you doing?”

He reached for the tablet and scrolled forward.“Teaching you to defend yourself.”

His tone was casual, as if it wasn’t illegal.

He settled back and I exhaled, but the ghost of his touch still traced my ribs.

When I checked my device, more than an hour had passed.

I sat up.“You have to go.”

“Plans?”

“I need to eat eventually…”

He stared out the window, then back at me.“Go get food.I’ll be here.”

I rolled my eyes.“You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”

“I did.”

I slid off the bed, grabbing a robe from my closet and wrapping the tie around my waist.

“Tell me again.”

“I don’t like spending Mondays at home alone.”

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“And I don’t think you do either,” he finished.

“You don’t know me.”

His feet hit the floor as he stood, moving toward me.“Don’t I?”

I backed up.“No.”

“I wouldn’t be a very good stalker if that were true.”

My back hit the wall, and I glared up at him as he caged me against it.

His hand wrapped around my wrist, lifting my hand.“I know you bite your nails when you’re especially nervous.”

My stomach twisted.

He held my fingers up, inspecting them.

“I know these trials have you especially on edge and you’ve been wrapping your fingers in Band-Aids.”

I stopped breathing.