Free Women Scorned by Angela Alsaleem Page A

hands down to her sides and straightened her back. He was here. She could feel it.
    The door opened behind her and in stepped the High Priest, a looming man recognizable because of his midnight-blue robes. A silver amethyst amulet hung around his neck. The High Priestess turned to face him, pulling her hood back as she did so. He opened his hood in response.
    Her facial features were much like his, her white hair as thick and long. Their eyes were the same shape, but the colors differed. Hers were deep gray, flashing like an ocean storm. She glanced away from the High Priest, swallowed, and then looked back after steadying herself. His pupils were like peppercorns in snow and they bored into her.
    “You wanted to see me, Father?” She tried not to swallow again but didn’t succeed.
    “You harbor doubt in your heart and mind.”
    She moved as if to take a step back, but then stilled. “No. I don’t doubt.” Her strong voice rose an octave.
    “I hear it in your voice.” His smile revealed pointed, straight teeth, as white as his hair and eyes.
    “I am concerned. I don’t doubt.” Aludra wasn’t being drawn to Rory as it had been foretold and Rory wasn’t being drawn to her. The child strayed, distracted by fleshly pleasures. She could feel it. If she continued on this path, all they’d been working toward would be lost.
    “Why do you lie? You know what happens with deceit. Concern is the same as doubt. You will go to the rope room when we are through here.”
    “But that’s for children…” she whined. She hadn’t been to the rope room since she was a little girl.
    “And you are sounding just as petulant. Lying, and now arguing.” He spoke in a calm voice which was somehow worse than if he’d yelled. “I think three turns ought to sufficiently reacquaint you with your lessons. Apparently it’s been too long. I’ve been too lenient.” His white eyes glistened with pleasure in the dim light.
    The High Priestess hung her head, hair obscuring her pout.
    “Do not sulk or I will make it four turns.”
    “Yes, Father,” she said and looked directly at him, hatred burning in her heart as she strained to maintain a calm façade, to keep the anger from showing. Three turns would be bad enough. She couldn’t endure four. Some had died after four.
    “Aludra was born for this purpose alone. Aludra will draw the chosen one. How this will happen, the Dark One has not revealed to me, but it is not for us to question. She will draw the spirit here and we will perform the ritual. That is all you need to know. It is not for you to doubt. She has been trained. She knows what she is doing, as do you. Your task is to prepare the altar room, cleanse it, protect it. When the time comes, you will be ready and so will the spirit.”
    “Yes, High Priest.” She returned his glare, holding it. The ropes? How could he? After everything she’d been through for him.
    “Tonight, you will perform another shielding around the half we have locked away. He grows restless and strong. It is your duty to keep him here…”
    “I know this.”
    “And keep him weak.”
    “Yes.”
    “And prepare the other containment room. The female half must not escape. We need the spirit whole.”
    “Or all this preparation is for nothing. This I understand, Father.”
    “I just want to be sure.” He stepped closer to her and bent down, his nose a mere inch from hers. “Do not doubt Him again. The Dark One watches all.” A hidden light danced in his pupils as he stared. She wanted to squirm under the heated gaze, wanted to shy away knowing the Dark One was there, looking at her behind the High Priest’s eyes, judging. What was he searching for?
    “Yes.” She strained not to break her stare. The High Priest’s acrid breath filled her nose, the smell of a thousand deaths, but she held steady.
    “Go to the rope room now. You are excused.” He stood straight again and waved her away.
    The High Priestess utilized all her strength to