Page 68 of Rite of Unity

“Yes.”

The scribbling increased, and couldn’t help but glance over then.All three men with pads were writing furiously, none of them watching the screen now.

“What did you learn?”

“That I would be tested for my loyalty.”

Silence.

The shoe stopped tapping.

"Who told you that?"

I kept my eyes on the spot.“The message on my tablet said to come prepared to answer questions honestly.”I paused.“I inferred.”

When pencils finally stopped scratching, the nurse approached the table beside me.I tracked her movements as she reached for a pair of metal tongs, unscrewed the jar and reached inside.Metal squeezed a fat glowing, wormlike creature as she pulled it out.

“Gentlemen.”

Shoes moved, and I swallowed.

I stared up at the ceiling, finding my small brown stain.

“Are you ready?”

More shoes scraped over the floor.I focused with all my might on the small spot, holding my breath as shadows fell over me.

A drop of icy liquid splashed my cheek.

“Hold still.”

I stared at the stain.

Something cold and wet was forced up my nose.I gagged on the putrid, metallic taste running down my throat.Pressure built in the corner of my eye, and it watered as it increased.

The dot on the ceiling began to swim, its edges blurring.

“Radioactive leech inserted,” a voice said in the far reaches of my mind.

***

"You look beautiful."

I blinked.The ceiling was gone.Elias stood in front of me, hand outstretched, and the evening air was cool on my bare arms.I looked down at my dress—not the cotton gown.When had I changed?

"Get in, Maryn."

I looked up."Where are we going?"

He smiled.“It’s a surprise.”

My lips tugged up.“Okay.”

I took his hand, and he led me to a black car parked outside the house I’d moved into in the center.I climbed into the car, and he closed the door behind me.

The driver’s door opened, and Elias slid inside.He looked over, taking me in; my cheeks heated.

“You look beautiful,” he repeated, touching the screen, and the car rolled forward.