Page 142 of Rite of Unity

“Again.”

The next breath came easier.

“Good.”

Itwasn’tgood.I would be eliminated.I would be sent away.

“Maryn, look at me.”

I did, taking another stuttering breath.

“I have a ribbon you can use.”

My mind cleared.“You do?”

He nodded.“I’ll give it to you after.”He reached into his pocket.“Put this on.”

I took the pin from him, hastily shoving it onto the coat as we reached the dock, and the guard tossed a rope to Calden.

“Mr.Charles.What brings you to the island?”

He glanced at me, but his gaze returned to Calden in a flash.

“Footage for another of my father’s propaganda films.We should be in and out.”

The guard nodded, stepping back as Calden climbed off the boat.He turned to face me, holding out a hand.

I reached for him, letting him pull me up, and my bare, exposed wrist came into view.Another flash of terror shot through me, but I squeezed his hand, steadying myself.

His gaze met mine for a heartbeat, and I dipped my chin.

He turned toward the guard.“My assistant is learning the craft.She’ll be with me for the duration of my visit.”

The guard eyed me once more, eyes dipping to my pin.“Seems like a waste.”He chuckled, but the smile dripped from his face when he met Calden’s stony stare.“Yes, sir.I’ll keep an eye on your boat.”

Calden pulled his tablet from his pocket.In moments, three drones zipped from a compartment alongside the boat deck, hovering in the air.He tapped again, and they shot in three different directions.

He marched past the guard, and I chased after him, grateful for the coat as I pulled the hood up.

We stepped onto dry land, and I wobbled, working to regain my bearings after so many hours on the water.As we crested a small hill, I stopped, mouth falling open.In front of us, stretching as far as the eye could see, green fields blanketed the earth.

Calden glanced back at me, a genuine smile lighting up his face.“Welcome to the farm.”

Chapter 35

Elias

Istretchedmyarmsoverhead,touching my tablet.

Private Message.

A grin stretched across my mouth, but when I opened it, it wasn’t Maryn.

Hey man.I have some info.Meet today?- Josh.

I sat up, throwing back the blankets.Last night hadn’t gone as planned, but that might have been better.Maryn wasn’t the kind of girl who accepted flattery and promises.She expected action.Soon, I would prove to her that I was a man of my word.

An hour later, I pulled up outside Josh’s house and stepped out, glancing up at the gray sky.It would rain today.