Page 200 of Rite of Unity

The steady thud of boots in the hall only seemed to grow.Every guard in the area had come inside to get out of the rain.

I stood, touching the bottles that had been saved after my failed assassination attempt.If it had gone according to plan, I wouldn’t be here now.

My hands were clean.I’d scrubbed them twice.I could still feel it.

I tipped a bottle to my lips, taking a swig.

It didn’t matter.None of that mattered now.

***

I lifted my head, staring groggily around the space.I must have dozed off at some point, waiting for the soldiers to go back outside.There were no windows in this room.No way to tell how long it had been.

I stood.Stretching out my aching knees.I listened; hearing nothing, I stepped back into the hall.

A man, dressed all in black, weapon holstered, rushed toward me.“Miss.Come with me.”

“What?”I backed up.

He followed, and my pulse thrummed wildly.“What’s wrong?”

“The president is looking for you.”

My heart climbed into my throat.“Elias?Why?”

“I don’t know, miss.”

He made no move to grab or restrain me as he stood in the doorway.I moved past him, and he followed, steps smacking the floor at my heels.I walked faster.

We reached a small alcove lined with windows.Helena spun around, hair a fluffy ball on her head.Her eyes were wide, a look of shock painted over her face.

She rushed forward, arms outstretched.“Oh, there you are, my darling girl.”

She pulled me into the weakest hug I’d ever felt.Her featherlight fingers touched my shoulders as she leaned back.“Elias is so worried.We thought the rebels took you.”

I glanced around at the guards in black standing around the room, staring at nothing.

Behind Helena, purple streaked the glass, running in long lines over my view of the outside world.My view of freedom.

My stomach sank.

“Maryn!”Elias burst into the room, gathering me up in his arms.He kissed my head, my face, then he leaned back, looking me over.“Are you hurt?I thought you were taken.”

He pulled me against his chest, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe.

“I’m fine.”I gasped out, thanking the mother that the welts had faded to nothing overnight.

He loosened his hold.“What happened to you?”His eyes bored into mine.“We searched everywhere.”

My stomach bottomed out.What could I say?What would he believe?How would I ever escape now?

“I was in your dad’s office.”

He gave me a strange look, as if trying to puzzle me out.

The guard I’d followed stepped forward.“It’s true, sir.She came out of President Hale’s office.”

Elias was silent, the entire room was, as he stared at me.My fear was so thick I could taste it.