I looked out at the dark water and shook my head back and forth. I wasn’t going into that again. I’d


    spent enough time in the ocean for a long time.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    “If we catch you before you reach the other side, Ciara,” Master Kein said. “We’ll put this into you and


    hold you under until you aren’t afraid anymore,” he said holding up a slimy squid like creature that


    writhed in his grip.


    “It will breath for you, Ciara. You won’t drown and you’ll get over your fear,” Master Bane added happily.


    I remembered the feeling of something slipping down my throat and into my nose. The thing Master


    Kein was holding had multiple slimy tendrils off its main body. I was torn now, I hated that thing and I


    was still terrified of the water. Master Evan stepped toward me with a wicked grin on his face and I was


    decided.


    The water closed over my head and I had a moment of panic. Quickly righting myself I swam toward


    the far wall. Far behind me, I heard sshing as the men hit the water. Adrenaline kicked into high gear


    as I sped away from them.


    The rough stone had just touched my fingers when I felt a hand wrap around my leg. I was dragged


    back from the wall and water rushed up my nose. Sputtering and coughing out the salty water I yelled


    at them.


    “I touched the wall! I made it! You promised you wouldn’t put that in me if I made it to the wall.”


    “Did we promise?” Master Damien asked yfully while treading water in front of me. His brothers


    surrounded me.


    “I’m not sure it was really a promise,” Master Bane said, “and how can we be sure it touched the wall?”


    “I’LL go underwater and stay as long as I can by myself,” I pleaded.


    Having made my argument I plunged beneath the surface. I had to hold onto them to stay down, but I


    did.


    Underneath the water was peaceful as always. Just before I had toe up for air, I saw the funny


    yellow fish I Liked to chase. I watched them so long I had to gasp for air when I came up. Master Evan


    was eyeing me curiously.


    Ang’s Library


    “I Like to watch the little yellow fish,” I panted to him.


    The men looked at one another and then Master Evan dipped under the surface. I watched him swim; it


    was fascinating. He didn’t kick Like I did with two feet. His body undted and zipped through the


    water.


    Breaking the surface he held his hands out to me. A little yellow fish was struggling vainly against his


    grasp.


    I touched the slimy little thing and marveled at it. Once I was done, Master Evan released it and I


    watched it go rejoin its group a few momentster.


    “What are they called?” I asked Master Evan and then gasped. “I’m sorry, Masters, I didn’t mean to


    bother you with questions.”


    Theyughed at me and Master Kein told me all about the Little fish “We don’t mind your questions


    anymore, Ciara,” he told me.


    Frankly, I wasn’t sure I believed that. They were always irritated with my questions. Except for Master


    Christof, they had never encouraged me to be curious.


    They seemed intent on showing me things today, though. We explored every aspect of the canal we


    were in, To further my exploration, Master Damien removed the rope from my neck


    “We thought you had swam farther out into the ocean. That was evidently not the case. You are quite


    ungainly in the sea,” Master Damien told me while kissing my head.


    I was d to be off the leash, but a Little perturbed at thement.


    I’d never thought of myself as particrly graceful, but the way he made it sound I should be wearing


    water wings.