Chapter 11
Maryn
The door opened softly and I looked up. “Dad!”
He smiled, sliding his shoes off before stepping into the living room. “The office was buzzing about you, today.”
I snorted. It was so good to see him clear-headed these past few weeks. “The men at your Covenant House are bigger gossips than the ladies I work with. Worked with.”
My grin slipped.
Dad pulled out a chair across from me and sat. “Aaron watches the Rites religiously. He said this week’s recap had a lot of good footage. I should have watched with you and Mom.”
I waved a hand. “Isn’t Aaron the newest steward who just graduated?”
Dad’s brows drew together. “Yes.”
“Isn’t he a little young to be so invested in the Rite?”
He leaned back. “He’s the same age as Elias.”
His name, said aloud, made my stomach flip. I hadn’t seen him since Friday night. Since the night he’d shocked me by admitting the Rite was unfair. Treason on anyone else’s lips. A perk of being the president’s son I guess.
I forced a smile. “You’re right.” I tapped my newly rounded nails on the countertop. “So what else did Aaron say about it?”
My gaze snagged on my tablet as its screen lit up on the kitchen counter.
“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.
***
I straightened my skirts as I looked up at the Covenant House our district was assigned to.
Dad stepped through the door, reaching for my hands. “Are you sure, Angel? Aaron said some of the other girls were organizing care packages for the men guarding the outer wall.”
Even infertile men are useful. I tamped down the thought before it showed and looped my arm through his instead, patting his arm.
“What did Aaron say?” A man stepped up to us, tugging at his collar. He was young for a steward, but his smile was easy and familiar with my father.
“Aaron. This is my daughter, Maryn.”
Aaron dipped his chin. “Nice to meet you, Maryn. Formally.”
“I need you over here, Twelve.” Paul bustled into the room tapping wildly on his tablet, and his drones swarmed in after.
I exhaled. “Nice to meet you, Aaron.”
I rushed to stand beside the massive wooden Y.
“Turn.” Paul twirled his finger. “Stop!” His hand froze. “That’s it. Right there. Vera! She’s a vision. We need blush.”
Vera rushed to me, brush outstretched and battered my face with swipes.
I coughed in the cloud of dust, waving the air.
“Gracefully,” Paul groaned.
I let my hands fall to my sides.
“No. Hand up. We need to see that ribbon.”
I held up my hand awkwardly, and Paul rolled his eyes, darting forward and wedging my palm against the Y at my back.
“You know what. No. Get her a Covenant Doctrine.”
Someone I didn’t recognize raced forward. Had my team grown? He handed me a leather book. The same one my dad read from at dinner on Mondays. I probably knew the passages by heart at this rate.
“Paul?”
He shushed me and his drones zipped around my head.
“Paul.”
“What?”
“When does the actual community service begin?”
His cackle devolved into a cough before he waved me off, wheezing.
Vera appeared by my side. “You’re performing for the Rite. This isn’t a merit test. This is about how you look on camera.” She glanced around. “You chose a good background, though.”
I slouched against the Y, lips turning down.
Several hours later, when Paul had enough stills of me to last a lifetime, we moved into the grand hall where services were held. They’d cleared out any regular patrons today to make space for my students.
Aaron appeared by my side. “I think your idea was great.”
I glanced at him, smiling as a group of girls filed in.
“Maybe it could become a regular thing.”
His grin faltered. “We would have more luck going to them in the Lower.”
Twelve girls slid onto a bench, eyes wide, but none said a word. It was such a contrast to the girls I’d gone to school with until I was sixteen. We gossiped and giggled, often having to be reminded to maintain composure.
After that, Mama had tried her best to teach me what men expected of a wife in the home.
But girls in the Lower didn’t go to school. The Covenant didn’t ask anything of them. They weren't going to be wives. Very few would ever be mothers. They weren't daughters worth investing in.
My jaw clenched.
I left Aaron’s side, moving to sit across from my students for the day. “Good day, ladies.”
They fidgeted, darting glances around the room. My heart ached for them.
“Do you know why you’re here today?”
They traded nervous glances with one another.
Barren woman! Had no one told them why they were taken from the Lower this afternoon? No wonder they looked ready to cry.
“I’m going to teach you to read.”
“Stop.” Paul raced to my side, frantically swiping on his tablet. “Let’s try that again.”
I eyed him. “Why? Is my hair messed up?” I slid my finger over my teeth. I knew the lipstick Vera smeared over my lips was going to be a problem.
He leaned forward, whispering in my ear. “Let’s redo that last line.” He sat back. “Why don’t we try something like: I’m going to teach you about the Covenant?”
My hands folded in my lap. I held his gaze just long enough to make it look like consideration. Then nodded.
“Good.” Paul huffed a laugh, too quick. “Again.”
He disappeared behind a crowd of gathering stewards and I faced the girls.
“I’m going to teach you about the Covenant.”