Page 37 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

All I could do was stand there, mouth agape. I wasn’t dense, most everyone worked for a living. And I’d tried to do things around the castle when I was younger, but after one too many broken “precious heirlooms” after dusting, I was told my skills were better off somewhere else. Which turned out to be code for don’t touch anything.

“I don’t know how,” I said.

“Someone will teach you.”

I wanted to argue further, but he cut me off.

“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow for your first day.”

Yeah, we would see about that.

Chapter 12

Sage

I’m walking along the shore of the ocean, picking up seashells. I’ve already found a blue one I think Sybil will like, and two that almost match, for my mothers. I find a pink one, but Sorcha has told me many times she hates the color pink. Though I didn’t understand why, it was my favorite. So, I still need to look for one for her. I keep the pink one for myself. They tinkle as I put all of the shells into my pail.

The afternoon ocean breeze whips my plaited hair around. I quite like coming to the ocean. We come every year, and it’s the best time of year.

“Don’t go too far,” Mother always tells us.

When I turn around, I’m not too far. I can still see my family. Sorcha isn’t there, deciding to stay in. I think she got into another fight with Mother. A reason to be sure I find her the best shell. But Mama was there, unpacking the lunch we’d brought, and Sybil was there, small travel paints in hand, concentrating on whatever she was working on, something she won’t show us.

A wave hits my feet and I jump, surprised by the feeling. I was walking quite a distance from the waves because if I walked too close, all the shells just got swept away.

Another one hits my feet, then another. I try to move up the shore, but the waves are strong, pulling back every bit of sand under my feet.

“Mom, Mama,” I try to yell, but they can’t hear me. I guess I am too far away.

I fall to my knees, my feet finally buckling beneath me.

“Sybil, help!” I call, but no one even moves from the blanket.

No one even looks at me. The next wave crashes over my whole body and I gasp for air. Salt burns my eyes. I keep trying to crawl up, but the waves kept coming, until I am pulled into the ocean, a sinking pebble drowning.

Even though it hurts, I open my eyes, holding my breath that felt so finite.

“Child,” a voice says. One that sounds like many stacked on top of each other, all in different tones.

I turn and meet glowing green eyes, so bright it illuminates the dark waters around us.

“You must keep it safe,” the creature tells me.

I open my mouth to say something, anything. I’m drowning. I can’t breathe.

But opening my mouth only let more air out, no sound.

“You’ve been chosen. It’s important.”

I didn’t understand. There was a weight on my chest now.

I couldn’t breathe.

I was going to run out of air.

“Sage,” the voice said.

I opened my mouth to answer, but water rushed in.