Free The Coalition Episodes 1-4 by Aria J. Wolfe Page B

Aliah.
    She shuddered. Aliah had looked horrible.
    She surfaced and scrubbed vigorously at every inch of skin with the soap until her skin wrinkled, then she drained the tub and dried off. She dressed in another clean, grey, tunic and leggings, then twisted her damp hair into a low bun secured with a leather string.
    She wasn't sure how long she'd been in the Bath House but the thin sun that had peeked out earlier had gone by the time she laced up her boots and stepped outside.
    "Don't be afraid." The deep voice still echoed inside her.
    "I trust you, Remiel," she whispered as she crossed the footbridge.
    Some strength had returned with her warm soak. She hurried up the hill to the house, tossed her dirty clothes inside the door and paused with her hand on the door knob.
    Sileas.
    Was it only the previous evening she had argued with her friend? Tears stung her eyes and threatened to spill over. She pinched the bridge of her nose and controlled her breathing. If she surrendered to the intensity of the emotions inside her, she was afraid it would swallow her whole. The weight of it would crush her chest and make it impossible to breathe.
    She closed her door. An overwhelming compulsion to stay away from the Chapel nearly made her stay in the House. But her absence at breakfast would look suspicious, so she began to walk down the hill to Lael. When she passed the spot Remiel had appeared to her, she stopped. She'd dropped Sileas's pendant somewhere around here the night before.
    Numerous stones and sticks littered the area but nothing more. She sighed. It could be anywhere. Aliah must have picked her up here... then carried her. She re-traced the steps she thought he had taken back to her front door.
    A shiny object glinted near a few loose stones. She stooped down and parted the grass, moving the stones out of the way. It wasn't the pendant.
    Lying partially concealed under a stone lay a thin silver key. She picked it up and held it. It was small enough to fit in her palm. She turned it over and a small, bright red gem glittered in the center of three interlocking rings. Identical to her birthmark. Written in delicate script were the words : "Out of the fire."
    She closed her fingers around it then dropped it into her tunic pocket. It was the key Remiel had given to her. She stood up then continued walking down the hill.
    What is the key for? She thrust her hand into her pocket, squeezed the key and sighed. He said she'd need it someday, but how would she know when that day would come?
     

CHAPTER 19
    Aliah
     
    He felt her before he saw her. He strode toward the Chapel steering clear of the people making their way in and went inside. His eyes scanned the rows of tables and benches. Where is she?
    He spotted Ellersly sitting at their usual spot.
    "Where is she?" Aliah whispered behind his hand to Ellersly as he sat down.
    Ellersly turned to look at him through wide eyes then tipped his head to the left towards the front.
    "Good. I'm going to go through with it but I need your help. Stop looking so nervous, just go with it." Aliah stood, then made his way to the back of the Chapel, bumping into a group of young children that just entered with their Community Mother. He kept his head down.
    After some muffled chatter the room grew quiet. Maire walked to the front and addressed the group with a loud voice.
    "Let us observe the Law of Gratitude for our meal today." She bowed her head and remained silent for two minutes, everyone did the same.
    Aliah's stomach turned and he lost his appetite. If they only knew who they were really showing their gratitude to.
    Maire raised her head. "Remember, your allegiance to our Gracious Leader. We've had an upsetting night but we must not forget that our Leader sees everything. His Watchers are his eyes and ears and every infraction will be reported and swiftly punished." Several children shifted in their seats, dutifully clasping their hands in their laps.
    Maire's eyes found his and she