Page 82 of Rite of Unity

He held up a hand.“I have some exciting news.”

My grip on Nami’s hand tightened.

“Okay.Calm.”

The crowd stilled.

“Before I share the results of this week’s trial, I want to tell you all what I learned.”

Elias turned to me, and my knees locked into place.

“You all love Maryn don’t you?”

The spotlight rushed to me, burning the top of my head.I pasted a smile on my face, blinded by the light.

“There’s something about her charm.”

The spotlight moved, finding the center’s favorite golden boy again.

“Her love for Middles and Lowers.”

Murmurs of agreement.

“Maryn showed us that people in the Middle can be just as enchanting.”

A few clinked glasses.

“That’s why we’re hosting a raffle.”He spun around the room.“This week only, all eligible, unmatched Middle ladies may go to their designated Covenant House to register their name.”

A roar of approval erupted.Elias waited a moment, raising his hands to quiet them.

“And one lucky winner will be given a day in the center—”

The crowd was wild, whistles and cheers, shouts and clapping.

He motioned for silence and more slowly this time, they stilled.

“I was going to say with me as their host,” he winced when a few cheers broke out, “but I think news of a special guest was enough for you lot.Anyway, dance.”

He stepped out of the spotlight, and it clicked off.

The world was momentarily black as my eyes adjusted.

When the shapes around me solidified, Nami released my hand, facing me.“That was surprising.”

I nodded, but my mind had already moved on.

What else was he capable of?What else might he already be doing?

I spotted Elias dancing with Abi.

It shouldn’t matter that he hadn’t asked me to dance after calling attention to me.

“I'm going to get another drink,” I said, raising my nearly empty one.I needed to think and I couldn't do it so close to the music.

Nami nodded, and I moved through clusters of people, grateful Vera had given me flat shoes for the uneven terrain.

I leaned against a sign with instructions about path difficulty.During the day this place must have been an exercise park.I had heard of them.Spaces for Elite to walk with varying degrees of intensity on an outdoor track.It was prettier than I had imagined.