The Coalition (Book 1)

Chapter 17

Ellersly sprang into action. He lifted his sack full of jars high over his head and swung them around and around. The burning in Aliah's chest increased and robbed him of breath. He gripped the corner of the nearby table and watched as Ellersly launched the sack into the air toward the wolf. The bag exploded against the wall in a fusion of bright colors that leaked through the burlap. Pickled beets, carrots and mixed berry smells permeated the air.

The wolf disappeared.

Bands of pressure squeezed Aliah's head and he gripped the table harder. Ellersly approached breathing heavily. "It's gone. You should go... find Shai. Make sure... she's alright."

Aliah turned to look at his young friend and raised one eyebrow.

Dimples formed in the boy's round face as he smiled. "I know enough about your... strange connection with Shai... to realize the pain you're in... is more than because of Sileas's death." The Adam's apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. "Just go, Aliah. I will... gather supplies then... head back to the cave."

Aliah nodded. He breathed in a shuddering breath and steeled himself against the pain in his ribs. He gripped his shirt with one hand just above his heart where his birthmark was and walked with halting steps to the door. The pain had never been as intense as this before. He clamped his teeth over his lower lip and forced himself to run.

His hood slipped off and the rain pummeled his face but he didn't care. He knew many pairs of eyes watched him as he streaked down the muddy streets, his cloak flapping behind him. The Mothers would be pulling the children away from the windows about now. Fear of the Watchers had amplified since the night before.

He ran for several minutes before reaching the bottom of the hill near the Hill House. He stopped for a moment to breathe, then began to climb. He struggled for footing on the slippery slope until he made it to the top. Smoke from her chimney curled into the grey sky. Everything appeared as it usually did. Pain jabbed his chest again, but with less intensity. The danger must be over. But what if he was too late?

He scanned the bushes behind the house with his eyes. No sign of her. He took a few steps towards the front door then stopped. Movement to his left caught his eye.

He found her lying near the back of the house face down in the mud. In a ceremonious swoosh, he swept her up and cradled her in his arms.

The pain in his chest flared as he struggled to walk to the front door to push it open. His arms shook as his adrenaline-infused strength began to fade. Once inside, he laid her on the bench in front of the fire and arranged pillows around her. Her eyes were closed and in spite of the mud caking her face and hair she looked peaceful. He grabbed a blanket from the rocking chair and tucked it around her. When he pulled it up under her chin the knuckles of his hand brushed the smooth skin of her cheek.

His heart hammered. He stood over her, watching her breathe. He raked a hand through his wet hair. He had a good idea of what had happened to her.

With the little strength he had left, he warmed some water in a kettle then poured it into a porcelain bowl. He rummaged around in the kitchen until he found some clean rags then knelt beside her and dabbed at the mud on her face. He cleaned as much as he could using the water and cloths then set the bowl aside.

She didn't seem to be visibly wounded and he could do nothing else until she woke up. He made a pallet of blankets for himself close to the fire, but closer to her. He laid on his back, with his arms behind his head, chewing his lower lip. I have to get her away from this place without telling her anything. If she finds out who the real Leader of Lael is she'll never agree to leave with me. Especially if she's suspicious that I'm a Watcher. She'll think I purposefully joined ranks with our enemy.