His voice brightened, almost cheerful now.
“If you cannot abide by these rules, then you will face certain consequences.”
The way he saidconsequencessent a shiver crawling up my spine.
“You are, of course, free to leave. The doors are not locked.” His eyes flicked toward the entrance. “Be warned that they do not reopen. And the cold here can be quite formidable.”
The silence that followed was louder than his voice.
Finally, he clapped his hands together once, sharp enough to make a few people flinch.
“I think that is enough information for one night. I will see you all at breakfast, where I will speak a bit more about routine. Until then, rest easy, and welcome to The Ascension Project.”
The Veilers burst into applause.
The culled did not.
My head spun with questions I didn’t want to ask.
How many had died in the name of thisproject?
What happened if I failed? Where did I go?
I felt a hand on my arm and jumped. The familiar calluses gave him away immediately, and my nerves settled slightly.
Rowan’s grip was tight with tension. He had also forgone his mask.
“Make it to breakfast,” he said, low and clipped.
He let go and walked off before I could ask what he meant.
I sat there motionless as crowds of people moved past and around me. I was frozen and reeling from all I had learned, and all that I still did not understand.
For the first time since Oak Hollow, I wasn’t sure what would become of me.
Chapter 25
“Sentries take no spouses.
Your attention belongs to your kingdom and your gods.
Bearing children is dishonorable.”
- Article 2, Section 1, of the Veiled Compendium
The Facility - Day 2
Iwas being watched.
I opened my eyes and saw a young girl sitting on the bed next to mine. She didn’t make a move to hurt me, so that was good.
Dressed in only my underthings, I pulled the blanket up a little higher before I spoke.
“Who are you?”
“I’m your roommate.”
My shoulders relaxed. Not a threat.
