Page 67 of Rite of Unity

I cleared my throat.“Yes.”

“Come.”

A nurse in brown motioned me forward.

“Lay down, please.”

The men on the other side of the room ignored us as I nodded and sat.My gaze shot to a jar filled with liquid and black creatures that glowed slightly at the edges.

“What are those for?”

My heartbeat was loud in my ears as the nurse ignored me, touching my shoulder to guide me backward onto the table.

I complied, staring up at the stark gray ceiling.As I turned, one of the creatures pressed itself against the glass.A violent shiver rolled through me before I could stop it.

She stood over me, sliding the strap of my dress to the side, and my gaze shot to the men behind her.One of them laughed, swiping up on his screen and they all continued speaking quietly.

I made myself look away.

Something cool suctioned against the skin below my collarbone and I winced.Cold metal slid over my pointer finger and tightened.

I inhaled a sharp breath, found a small stain on the ceiling, and focused on it.

“I’m going to ask you a series of questions.Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“Speak your answers.”

“Yes.”

The nurse moved away from me, her skirts swishing.“We’re ready here.”

Feet shuffled, but I kept my gaze pinned on the dark spot.

"Have you eaten or drunk anything that might impair your judgement in the last twenty-four hours?"

I shook my head.

“No.”

Lights flickered on the screen across the room.

I stared at the spot.

"Has anyone you know ever participated in Trial Five?"

“Yes.”

Pens scribbled as a shoe tapped against the floor.

“What was her name?”

“Vera Holt.”

More pens scratching over paper.I hadn’t seen actual paper since the day we visited an Upper-Middle museum of pre-war artifacts in school.The urge to turn my head and look clawed at me.

“"Have you been advised what you are being tested for?"