Page 126 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

Then, I saw it. The flicker of light, that had been dimming this whole time. The necklace. I pushed myself, swimming lower, when I realized she was coming up towards me.

That’s when I realized it wasn’t her necklace, it was something else, the glowing eyes of a siren. Holding a lifeless Sage.

She handed her over to me.

Her voice came across to me so clear it was like she spoke in my head.

“Take good care of her.”

And then she was swimming away.

I knew neither of us could be down here for much longer. I surged towards the surface, keeping her held tight to my chest. My tail flicked back and forth, until we breached the waves. I used a mix of it and my free arm to paddle us back towards the ship.

I got her over the side first before pulling myself up, and crashing down beside her. Sitting up quickly, I pressed my ear to her chest.

It rose steadily, her heartbeat right there.

“Thank the moons,” I said, lying down next to her. She was just unconscious.

I let myself lay there, ship floating in the water for a few more minutes. The pain in my tail and head was excruciating, burning with the addition of salt water, but I had to get us back to safety.

I gathered myself and went back to the helm, correcting our course.

Once we were going the right way, I started digging through the first aid kit.

As I did, something in the distance caught my attention. It was a large ship, one I was sure had to be ours. I’d recognize the Violet Ghost anywhere.

We were going to be okay.

“Adrian?” Sage’s shrill voice cut through the air.

I grabbed the bag and whipped around the front. She was running in my direction, ready to run into me if I hadn’t put my arms out to stop her.

“You’re okay,” she said, her eyes welling up with tears.

“We’re both okay,” I said, pulling her into my chest. Her arms wrapped around me, and I never wanted to be apart from her again. “Just like I promised.”

“The ship’s on the way,” I told her.

She sagged against me more. “I think… Coltar was taken by the sirens.”

I swallowed. “That’s the impression I got.”

“I know…” she gestured. “Everything happened. But I’m still sorry for your loss.”

I shook my head. “I lost the Coltar I knew, the real one, a long time ago.”

I ran my hand up and down her arms.

We really were gonna be okay.

Chapter 45

Sage

Isat on Adrian’s bed, working on the surprise I started for him a few days ago, and it was almost done.

Once we got back to the ship, and everyone realized we were okay, Adrian ordered us to sail back towards home. Tomorrow, we would be back to Stonevale.