Page 37 of Rite of Unity

“He says Sera is one to watch out for.”

I pushed my chair back.“Mhmm.Anything else?”

I crossed the room, lifting the device.

Dad continued talking, but his words were drowned by the ones shouting in my head as I read:Welcome to Trial Two.Swipe right to receive your instructions.

My finger hovered over the screen.Last time, I had less than twenty-four hours.But it hadn’t been nearly as bad as I was expecting.A simple speech, said in front of an audience, broadcast across the nation.No big deal.I didn’t delude myself into thinking they would all be so simple.

“Don’t worry, Angel.You’re much prettier than her.”

I looked up.“I know, Dad.Love you.”

I tucked the tablet under my arm and marched into my room, closing the door securely.

Pulse racing, I slid onto my bed and touched the screen again.

Contestant Twelve.Community Service Trial.

The Rite of Unity exists to identify women of character, faith, and service.For your second trial, you are invited to design and carry out a community service project of your choosing.Your project should reflect the values of the Covenant States and demonstrate your commitment to the health and continuity of our great nation.

Your project will be filmed in full and presented to the nation.

You have three days to plan and carry out your project.Please contact your producer to coordinate filming dates and logistics no later than twenty-four hours before your intended start date.

We look forward to seeing what you will bring to this nation.

I exhaled a loud breath, rolling onto my back and closing my eyes.

Black eyes stared at me, watching me as I backed away.

My eyes flew open.

The stranger from the ball.What had he wanted?To ingratiate himself with one of Elias’s matches?Surely not that; otherwise he would have chosen someone above me.And if his goal was to be liked, he had failed.

I blew out another breath.“Focus, Maryn.”

“Honey.Tea?”

I stared at the closed door.“No, Mama.I’m working.”

The door slid open.“What do you mean working?

I touched the screen, watching it go black.“I’m not allowed to talk about it, Mama.”

“You’re right.I’m sorry.Dinner in an hour, okay?”

I nodded as she backed out, closing the door behind her.

I sat up.

Community service.

Elias had been performing community service tasks since he was a teenager.How many times had I seen his work and thought of something better to do with his time?This was my chance.I had the might of the government at my disposal and a nation eagerly watching.

I touched Paul’s name in my contact list.

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