Page 56 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

“Yeah, I know,” I said. “You gave me no warning, by the way.”

“I didn’t think you’d be coming.”

“Should have thought differently then.”

He huffed, a sound I wasn’t sure was annoyance or amusement.

We started towards the edge, where the plank was set up. It was plenty wide enough, but walked us right over the water.

Just look straight, I coached myself. Look up, don’t look down.

But I couldn’t stop myself. My eyes glanced down into the dark depths of water beneath me. I could almost feel it cloying to my skin, sucking me under, taking my last breath.

You’re not going to battle, you’re just walking across a plank.

I tried the words again, and while it wasn’t a perfect solution, it did help a bit. A little reminder to my body that what was happening wasn’t life or death.

“Sage,” Shadowhart said. “Come on, it’s better if you just don’t look.”

He held his hand out, waiting for me to take it. I grabbed it as if it were my only lifeline, and kept my eyes on it until we were off the planks and onto the dock. Shadowhart glanced at me after my reaction, but was smart enough not to say anything as we moved.

We traveled along the flat red stone pavers of the city street. Although I’d been to Quvill a few times, I’ve never visited this close to the shore. This city was so different than others I’d seen. It made sense, being on the shore. The influence from other countries was obvious.

Still, it was unmistakable we were in Quvill. Being the fae lands, where almost everyone practiced magic, all of the storefronts consisted of people selling healing potions, luck charms, or even hexes, which had their varying results. There was also a low hum of music in the air. I wasn’t sure where it came from, but it was as if someone was plucking a harp off in the distance.

It was busy and crowded, as expected of a large port city. I walked between Captain Shadowhart and Bramwell, towards whatever library they were set to go to.

Until my eye caught on a sewing and mending store. I paused, but the two kept going, briefly releasing me from the physical barrier they were keeping me in. They had been lost in conversation for a little while, and it seemed they were distracted enough to leave me behind.

I wandered towards the store, weaving through the crowd around me.

A hand caught my arm, but it was only Shadowhart, realizing how far I’d gotten.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

I pointed. “The mending store. I told you I needed patches.”

“And I told you we weren’t making any stops.”

“You said you weren’t making any stops.” I quirked a brow. “I told you what I needed.”

“We don’t have time to⁠—”

“I can go ahead,” Bramwell cut in before Shadowhart could continue. “We can meet when you’re done. It shouldn’t take too long.”

My smile widened. “Thank you, Bramwell, we’ll be right behind you.”

Shadowhart looked like he wanted to argue, but Bramwell was back in the crowd, sticking out with how large he was.

“Shall we?” I asked.

His jaw was set in irritation. It was obvious things usually went his way, but sorry for him, things always went my way.

“Five minutes,” he clipped before we continued towards the store.

It was a small shop; threads, fabrics, and needle sets littered the space around us. The shelves in the shop were narrow, and for a moment, I worried the captain wouldn’t be able to squeeze through them, large as he was.

“Welcome,” a woman around my age said, appearing from behind the counter, as if she’d poofed into existence suddenly. “Can I help you find something?”