The Alliance by Shannon Stoker Read Free Book Online Page A

sound French,” Flo said. “It won’t be very exciting.”
    â€œI like learning new things,” Mia said.
    â€œTell me, Mia, have you ever thought about the spiritual side of things?”
    â€œLike ghosts?”
    Flo let out a loud cough mixed with laughter.
    â€œNot exactly,” she said.
    â€œI don’t understand,” Mia said.
    â€œYou’re very sensitive,” Flo said. “You harbor anger; you get angry with your boyfriend because of the way you feel about yourself, and I mean no offense. Yesterday you mentioned wanting to know how I came to trust myself. I know that I alone am in charge of my own destiny.”
    â€œIsn’t that a contradiction?” Mia asked. “If destiny is predetermined, how can you be in charge?”
    Flo flashed a warm smile.
    â€œThose are two separate schools of thought,” Flo said. “Do you think things are predetermined? You could never have ended up anywhere but here?”
    Nobody had ever asked Mia anything remotely similar to this. She wanted to prove to Flo that she was capable of answering tough questions. Rather than responding with an “I don’t know,” Mia thought carefully.
    â€œNo,” Mia said. “I think I could have ended up a number of places.”
    â€œAnd was it your series of decisions that led you to this point?”
    â€œNo. If I hadn’t forced Andrew to help me I never would have left America. If I hadn’t learned from Riley I never would have rescued Andrew and Carter. Other ­people have assisted me.”
    Flo nodded her head.
    â€œYou’re a giver,” she said. “You give lots of credit to those around you, instead of allowing yourself to receive some.”
    â€œWithout Corinna’s pushing I never would have run in the first place. I owe all of this to my sister,” Mia said. “She’s the one who should be here, not me.”
    â€œAha,” Flo said. “Do you think that has anything to do with your motivation?”
    â€œNo,” Mia said. “I can’t help her. She’s dead.”
    â€œBut you can help all the women in America in her place,” Flo said. “Set them free as your sister did you.”
    â€œStopping the Registry and mandatory ser­vice just seems like the right thing.”
    â€œAlways look deeper,” Flo said. “That is how you can harness your energy.”
    â€œHow do I do that?”
    â€œNever stop asking questions.”
    When Mia was learning how to form strategies with Riley she had asked questions nonstop. Her mentor had scolded Mia for asking too many.
    â€œI ask questions all the time.”
    â€œTo other ­people,” Flo said. “Ask them to yourself.”
    Mia went silent. Flo stopped walking and turned to face Mia. She reached out and grabbed ahold of both her hands.
    â€œWe can’t change other ­people,” Flo said. “We can only educate them and give them the option to change themselves.”
    â€œAre you talking about Andrew?”
    â€œI’m speaking about every soul who walks this earth.”
    Flo squeezed Mia’s hands.
    â€œI have some official business to attend to,” Flo said. “But one last piece of advice. If you’re angry with someone, clear and open communication is the best way to get over your fear.”
    â€œI’m angry, not afraid.”
    â€œAnger is only a form fear takes,” Flo said. “And there’s no shame in being afraid. Particularly for a person like you with a challenging road behind and ahead.”
    Flo released Mia’s hands and leaned in, giving her a kiss on each cheek. Mia watched as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box. At first Mia thought she was getting a present, but instead Flo turned to walk away.
    â€œWhat is that?” Mia asked.
    â€œA gift,” Flo said. “For your grand commander. I am sending it ahead. It should arrive in a