The Coalition (Teen Paranormal Dark Fantasy) (Book 1): The Coalition, #1

Table of Contents

The Coalition

CHAPTER 1 | Shai

CHAPTER 2 | Shai

CHAPTER 3 | Aliah

CHAPTER 4 | Shai

CHAPTER 5 | Aliah

CHAPTER 6 | Shai

CHAPTER 7 | Aliah

CHAPTER 8 | Shai

CHAPTER 9 | Aliah

CHAPTER 10 | Shai

CHAPTER 11 | Aliah

CHAPTER 12 | Shai

CHAPTER 13 | Aliah

CHAPTER 14 | Shai

CHAPTER 15 | Aliah

CHAPTER 16 | Shai

CHAPTER 17 | Aliah

CHAPTER 18 | Shai

CHAPTER 19 | Aliah

CHAPTER 20 | Shai

CHAPTER 21 | Shai

CHAPTER 22 | Aliah

CHAPTER 23 | Shai

CHAPTER 24 | Aliah

CHAPTER 25 | Shai

CHAPTER 26 | Aliah

CHAPTER 27 | Shai

CHAPTER 28 | Aliah

CHAPTER 29 | Shai

CHAPTER 30 | Aliah

CHAPTER 31 | Shai

CHAPTER 32 | Aliah

CHAPTER 33 | Shai

CHAPTER 34 | Aliah

CHAPTER 35 | Shai

CHAPTER 36 | Aliah

CHAPTER 37 | Shai

CHAPTER 38 | Aliah

CHAPTER 39 | Shai

CHAPTER 40 | Aliah

CHAPTER 41 | Shai

CHAPTER 42 | Aliah

CHAPTER 43 | Shai

CHAPTER 44 | Aliah

CHAPTER 45 | Shai

CHAPTER 46 | Aliah

CHAPTER 47 | Shai

CHAPTER 48 | Aliah

CHAPTER 49 | Shai

CHAPTER 50 | Aliah

CHAPTER 51 | Shai

CHAPTER 52 | Aliah

CHAPTER 53 | Shai

CHAPTER 54 | Aliah

CHAPTER 55 | Shai

CHAPTER 56 | Aliah

CHAPTER 57 | Aliah

CHAPTER 58 | Shai

CHAPTER 59 | Aliah

CHAPTER 60 | Shai

CHAPTER 61 | Aliah

CHAPTER 62 | Shai

CHAPTER 63 | Aliah

CHAPTER 64 | Shai

CHAPTER 65 | Aliah

CHAPTER 66 | Aliah

CHAPTER 67 | Shai

CHAPTER 68 | Shai

CHAPTER 69 | Shai

CHAPTER 70 | Shai

CHAPTER 71 | Shai

CHAPTER 72 | Shai

CHAPTER 73 | Ava

Acknowledgements

About Aria J. Wolfe

Other Books by Aria J. Wolfe

Connect with A.J.

The Coalition

COPYRIGHT 2013 ARIA J. Wolfe

Published by KingdomNow Publishing

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2013 by Aria J. Wolfe

Jacket art copyright © 2013 by Yvette R. Dempster

All rights reserved. Published in Canada by KingdomNow Publishing,

RR 2 Site 456 Box 4 Comp 9,

Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada.

Visit us on the Web!  ariajwolfe.com

The coalition / Aria J. Wolfe.—1st ed.

Book one of: The coalition series

[1.Young adult—fiction. 2. Fantasy]

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group

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Mom

You made this possible

Hang my locket around your neck, wear my ring on your finger. Love is invincible facing danger and death. Passion laughs at the terrors of hell. The fire of love stops at nothing - it sweeps everything before it.

Song of Solomon 8:6

THE DIVISION OF EDAN

Sector 1- Adena (symbol: Infinity)

Sector 2- Brenton (symbol: Circle)

Sector 3- Conley (symbol: Crescent)

Sector 4- Fino (symbol: Sun)

Sector 5- Hadyn (symbol: Eye)

Sector 6- Kegan (symbol: Triangle)

Sector 7- Kent (symbol: Flame)

The Coalition- (symbol: 3

Characters

Shai (SHAY)

Aliah (AY-lee-yah)

Ellersly (ELL-ers-lee)

Eliana (el-ee-YON-ah)

Sileas (SIL-ee-us)

Maire (MARE)

Samael (sam-AY-el)

Zev (ZEV)

Mara (MAHR-ah)

Akan (AY-kan)

Elchai (EL-kye)

Remiel (REM-ee-el)

The Community of Lael (lay-EL)

CHAPTER 1

Shai

Shai sat on a hard wooden bench in the chapel staring at the back of the young man in front of her. She crossed her ankles and swung them as she noted how his hair had begun to curl up around his ears and along his neck. Her chest warmed, the way it always did when she thought of him. She smiled as he ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, making it stand on end.

A sharp poke in her ribs snapped her out of her daydream.

Listen, Shai! Her friend Sileas narrowed her eyes and jabbed a thumb in the direction of the speaker's platform at the front of the room. Shai rolled her eyes and faced front.

There are twenty-one more days until the next Watcher Recruitment round. That's enough time to prepare yourselves. A thin, middle-aged woman with mousy-brown hair that she wore in a severe bun, had begun the speech that Shai and the other teens in the community of Lael heard every three weeks. It was always the same thing: be diligent in the duties assigned to you, manage the younger children in your House, attend Chapel regularly, and try not to stand out... blah, blah, blah.

She had been eligible for recruitment two years ago when she had turned fourteen, but had no interest in becoming a Watcher. They wore black clothing, walked with their heads down, and never spoke. They were the security of Lael and the most sought-after position. They protected the residents and reported which children might be eligible for the next recruitment to the leader of the community. No one knew the Watchers' identities. They gathered in secret at night, along Lael's boundary fence-line while everyone else slept, and watched Lael in shifts by day.

Shai leaned forward a little to steal a look at the other children sitting in her row. Who would be the next one chosen for recruitment? The air seemed to crackle with nervous energy. Even Sileas fidgeted.

One by one the children returned her stare, their grey eyes round with anticipation. A small smile tugged at the corners of Shai's mouth. One of them will be chosen before me or even Aliah. We stand out too much. She leaned back against the bench and glanced at his rigid back as he sat next to his friend Ellersly, listening intently to the speeches as though they mattered to him. They were the only two in the community who had colored eyes. Hers mirrored the color of the sky when the clouds parted, and Aliah's were bright green.

The Mother's eyes darted around the room, waiting for quiet before she continued. Her long grey skirt swished as she walked to a small table on the right side of the room. The table served one purpose: to display a thick, brown book known simply as the Book.

The Mother placed one hand palm-down on the front cover of the Book and scanned the room again.

Shai twisted her pendant on its silver chain until it pinched her skin, then released it, watching the pale moonstone embedded on the front, twirl. Even if she could avoid being recruited, she couldn't escape the Reading of the Book. She ticked off a mental list. Did she break any Laws or Rules during the past three days?

And finally, before we get to the Reading, remember our number one rule: all pendants are to be worn inside your tunics. Never touch them, play with them or look at them. Ever.

Shai looked up, her cheeks hot. She'd never been called up for an infraction. Not that she didn't commit any, she was just never reported.

The Mother's steel grey eyes bored into her. Shai dropped her pendant back inside the neck of her tunic and clasped her hands in her lap. Aliah's shoulders straightened even more. She knew he'd disapprove. He always kept the Laws.

She cast a side-long glance at Sileas, who snickered beside her, but the girl's expression never changed. She watched the Mother intently, even leaning forward a little to catch every word. How did she do that, laugh under her breath without smiling? Not even her eyes showed any amusement.

The room grew heavy with silence. Everyone waited for Shai. She straightened her back like Aliah's and concentrated on making her face expressionless.

Once again our Gracious Leader has written in the Book the names of those who have committed infractions during the last three days. But, as a nice surprise, he has written the name of someone who will receive a reward. They will be sent to live on the Hill.

A collective gasp echoed throughout the room. Shai pressed her lips together while keeping her eyes on the Mother. As much as she feared her name being called for an infraction, she feared receiving a reward even more.  If she could melt into the hard wooden bench she would. Anything to keep from being noticed.

She clenched her hands tighter in her lap. Her pulse raced. It's not me, it's not me. It wouldn't be her, she knew. But she swallowed hard past the knot in her throat.

The house on the hill had been vacant for years. If someone was chosen to live there it meant they lived there alone, without being subject to Laelite Laws until the day the Leader came to give them their reward on Recruitment Day.

Cold sweat broke out on Shai's forehead and trickled down her back. It won't be me. She breathed deeply in, then out, but the shaking in her legs and hands became worse. Of course I won't be chosen; I stand out too much. Her hair was too light, her eyes too blue, not to mention her secret: the strange birthmark over her heart that often pulsed waves of heat through her like it did now.

Her fingertips tingled, and the edges of her vision suddenly darkened, as pink, blue, and green dots swam before her eyes. Not now. Oh, please not now.

She stared at the back of Aliah's head trying to focus on the sound of the Mother's voice. The tingling lessoned. She pressed her lips harder into a thin line. She couldn't have a vision now. Bad timing.

The Mother picked the Book up from the table and cradled it in her arms like it was a small child. She opened it to the middle then turned back a few pages; her lips moved as she read. After a moment she lifted her eyes and cleared her throat.

Shai. Would you come up here please? The Mother's eyes held Shai's for a long moment and when Shai didn't move she repeated, 'please.' Bile rose in Shai's throat. She stood up from the bench and squeezed past the row of legs as she made her way to the center aisle. When she brushed by Sileas's knees, her friend grasped her hand and gave it a quick squeeze before letting it go. Shai kept her eyes forward, her head straight. If she looked at anyone she'd either cry or throw up.

She inhaled deeply. This was worse than being recruited as a Watcher.

She expelled her breath just as she tripped over a boot of the girl sitting at the end of the row.

So much for not being eligible. The sneer in the girl's whisper mocked Shai's lifelong belief that being different was safer.

She recovered her footing and stepped into the aisle. She'd become good at hiding her emotions and did so now as she opened her fists and forced her hands to lay flat against her sides and her feet to walk up the narrow aisle to the front.

She locked eyes with the Mother who spoke in a solemn voice.

Shai Eli of Lael. You've been rewarded by our Gracious Leader. He has chosen you to bear a child who will be become the next Leader of Lael. Hand me your pendant, you'll no longer be needing it. Another gasp rose from the teens followed by several whispers. One of the Mother's from the Boy's Houses silenced them with a hissed, shhhhh! as Shai fumbled with the clasp behind her neck.

She'd always hated that pendant, but handing it over made a sick feeling settle like ice in the pit of her stomach.

When at last the clasp sprung free she coiled the necklace into the Mother's outstretched hand and watched as the long fingers curled around it. The Mother's fist remained suspended between them, and Shai noticed it trembled slightly. She looked up into the Mother's eyes, glistening and watery. She pushed her shoulders back and nodded slightly. The ice in her stomach settled deeper.

The Mother nodded back, cleared her throat again, then proceeded with the remainder of the Reading while Shai stood and watched.

Sol Curtis, please stand. You are charged with breaking the Law of Equality. Punishable by spending one day and one night alone, outside the boundaries of Lael in the Borderless. A young boy with reddish-orange hair hung his head.

Mayla Kelton, please stand. You are charged with breaking the Law of Liberty. Punishable by spending three days in stocks, fastened to your wrists and ankles.

Shai stood rigid, her hands behind her back, her eyes forward, and her lips pressed together. Five more names were called, followed by their crimes and punishments. Someone received two lashings, another received four days in isolation, and a girl who looked no more than twelve, received a snip off the tip of her tongue for speaking against their Leader. That punishment was promptly carried through. While the children either turned away or watched, horrified, Shai stood staring, transfixed as the girl stood in front of the Mother. When she opened her mouth, Shai gasped at the misshapen, purplish-red mass inside. It hardly resembled a tongue. Shai turned away. How many punishments like this has she already received? After a moment, sniffling sounds filled the room as the girl walked back to her seat, with a dribble of blood running down her chin. Shai's palms grew sweaty and she wiped them on her grey trousers.

Finally the Mother said in an even voice, Seven names have been read today. Seven crimes committed since the last Reading which means seven Laws or Rules were broken. This is intolerable. She blinked a few times and smiled. However, let us celebrate Shai's reward today. May she be an example to all of you.

She turned to Shai. Go straight to the Hill. Your belongings will be packed up and brought to you. After a mandatory twenty-four hours of solitude you may have visitors. You will be free to come down the hill to Lael...whenever you choose. Then, in twenty-one days, you will leave Lael to go live with our Gracious Leader. The last two words came out quiet and the Mother raised her hand over her head to signal dismissal.

Loud scuffling and a chorus of voices erupted as everyone left the Chapel, with heads bent together in groups of two or three, engrossed in their animated conversations. Shai remained frozen to her spot.

At last the Mother turned around and looked straight at Shai, her eyes swimming with tears.

I know how badly you've wanted to avoid being recruited and now this. I'm so sorry. I...I didn't know. If I did...

You couldn't have done anything Eliana, you know that. Shai twisted the hem of her standard-issue, grey tunic and looked at the floor. Maybe it will be ok. No one has ever seen our Gracious Leader. Maybe he's... nice. She raised her eyes to Eliana's who blinked several times as tears spilled onto her pale cheeks.  She knew what the Mother was thinking. How could anyone who demanded such extreme punishment for children be nice?

I've been assigned to care for you during your stay at the House... we will have three whole weeks together. The Mother's lower lip trembled until she caught it between her teeth.

Shai nodded then took a step back.

I guess I'd better go. I should see where I'm living now. She turned and began walking back down the aisle past the rows of empty benches.

Eliana's voice echoed behind her, all business again. Your twenty-four hours begins now. Don't let anyone detain you. I will see you after that.

Shai trailed her fingers along the backs of the benches then turned around again. She couldn't resist a sudden urge to be somewhere familiar yet private. May I go to the garden first?

Eliana looked up, surprise on her face. Of course. It's not your turn to do the holes though.

Shai shrugged. It's okay. I just want to be somewhere quiet until I go to the Hill.

Sure. I understand. Eliana's smile was soft yet sad. Take all the time you need.

CHAPTER 2

Shai

The garden was quiet just like she had hoped. No one was working the holes; the shovel was left where the last person had stuck it deep into a mound of soft earth. The shovel's rusted metal scoop looked bright orange in the pale sunlight, its wooden handle soft as silk from use. She jabbed the shovel into the dirt then stepped on its edge for leverage. The soil was heavy and wet with frequent rain. Nothing grew in the garden, but the Mothers ensured everyone that they were learning discipline by digging the holes while getting exercise.

Shai's back muscles strained with the upward pull of the shovel, laden with soil. She tossed the clump onto a large dirt pile nearby and continued on to make another hole. She needed this: to be alone with her thoughts, which she always harnessed until she was past the burning point in her labor, the point when her muscles became used to the exertion and there was nothing left to distract her.

Three holes had been dug before she released her mind to wander. And it was the same thought that surfaced every time.

Daddy, why do we dig these holes if we're just going to cover them back up again? The young girl's eyes were shiny with admiration for the man who stooped over a row of tiny holes like dimples in the earth.

Here honey. I'll show you. His dark eyes were merry, his face rosy from the heat of the afternoon. The girl squatted beside him in the dirt and cupped her hands, ready to receive the gift that he held out to her. He dropped a small, black, tear-shaped disk into her hand.

It's a seed. When it's put into the hole and covered back up with soil, the sun and the rain will help it grow. Soon we'll see a little green shoot poking up through the dirt. He pointed to a row of skinny green tubes sticking out of the ground next to their row of holes. After a while, when it's time, we harvest them. These ones will be watermelons.

Watermelons.

The thought faded, a wisp of smoke in the wind. She licked her lips then whispered the word like she always did.

Watermelons.

The thought wasn't connected to anything. It could even have been just a day-dream, something she made up in her mind, but a vague feeling in her chest, the tight ache like she was holding back tears, told her she was that little girl.

Sometimes another thought would follow it; this one she'd have to fight off. It was the one that made her face hot, and tears prick her eyes even though she didn't know why.

She stuck her shovel into the dirt again, jamming it in harder than necessary, then rested against its handle. She pressed her lips together and swallowed but the thought still came.

The air was thick and heavy with smoke and dust. The little girl's mouth and nose were wrapped with a layer of material, but she wished she could wrap her eyes too. The air stung. The wind whipped pieces of dirt and dust into her face making her squint against the prickles of pain. Tears poured down her cheeks as she tried to see into the gloominess.

Everything looked different. Some of the houses were flat on the ground, some were blazing orange and red as flames swallowed them up; Others, like hers, had so many people crammed inside them it made it hard to breathe.

The girl hung onto a man's hand with all her strength, afraid that the gusting wind might tear her away from him. She looked back at her house with its lights glowing in the dark.

Daddy, wait! She coughed and choked and the man turned around. His mouth and nose were also covered. He bent his head close to hers. Her voice was muffled by the cloth and rough-sounding from yelling into the wind.

Yes, honey. What is it?

I want Mommy to come too. More tears squeezed out of her eyes. The man pulled the covering off his mouth then kissed her forehead. He was white around his mouth where the cloth had been and dark where the dust had clung to his skin.

She will come later, I promise. Right now all the children have to get out of Edan and go to a safe place.

Why? Is there an uprising? A gust of wind blew against her face and she closed her eyes to keep the dirt out. It was a dirty word. Whispered behind the backs of hands and into ears. But she'd heard her mother and father speak it so often, especially lately, that it had become a household word.

It's like an uprising, honey. Elchai called it the War Between Worlds. He stood and took her hand again. We'd better go.

Shai pulled the shovel from the dirt and threw it on the ground, letting anger course through her, hoping the next thought wouldn't come. But it did anyway.

The kind-faced man pulled on the girl's hand as she turned to look at her house one last time. Suddenly there was a lot of noise. Shouting. Screaming. Crying. The windows of her house exploded outwards, showering the ground with glass. The people inside the house rushed through the door and knocked her to the ground.

The girl's hand was ripped from the man's. On her knees she cried out, Daddy! Daaaadeeee! Until her throat was raw.

Finally the thought ended. Leaving only a fluttering, ragged feeling in her chest, like something important had been violently ripped from her heart. Sometimes she felt if she dug enough holes in the 'garden' she'd suddenly strike what she'd lost with the blunt shovel. She would dig it up and hold it against her tight.

Daddy.

Shai blinked several times and stared at the row of large holes she'd made until they no longer blurred together. She cleared her throat of the lump then wiped her hands on her trousers.

Everything was still and quiet, wrapped in grey. Grey sky. Grey dirt. Grey clothing. Even everyone's eyes were grey.

She hated grey. But at least it deadened the quick, sharp pains that always came with the last thoughts of the Old World. That's what she called the memories of pungent smells and colors so bright they hurt the eyes.

No one spoke of the Old World. It existed only in her mind and she shared her memories with no one. They were her secret thoughts, another thing that made her feel different.

She stayed in the garden until the Old World thoughts became as grey as the world she lived in and the pain went away.

Someone else would come and fill the holes she'd made.