Always Remembered Read Online Free Page A

others? Maybe
they can do magic, and they just don’t know how.”
    She bit her lip, mulling it over. Finally,
she consented. “It’s very possible, although David may not
agree.”
    “Why not?” I asked. “He’s already agreed to
let Kieran and I train the clan on weapons and combat.”
    Her eyes widened. “He has?”
    “We’re holding a meeting tomorrow. He made me
promise not to force anyone, but those who want to be trained, will
be.”
    “I didn’t know about it. Why didn’t you tell
me?” Ula frowned slightly. I didn’t mean for her to feel excluded
or unwanted. “Can I participate?”
    I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and
squeezed. “I just told you. Besides, you don’t even have to ask. Of
course you can participate.”
    We walked along the shore. The nearness of
the water soothed and irritated me at the same time. I could taste
the brine. That small sip made me want more. I longed for the
freedom of the waves. My dad and aunt left this morning for the
strait. With any luck, they’d find Ken, rescue Evan, and put an end
to this. I couldn’t live my life in fear, and worrying about Evan
was giving me an ulcer.
    “Will you?” Ula asked.
    “Will I what?”
    “Will you teach them magic?”
    “I’d like to try.” The ability to change
forms, the most basic of Selkie magic, was in and of itself
wonderful. Yet, the other magic I could perform was
amazing—influencing the weather, conjuring items, transporting from
one location to another, blocking others from entering my mind, and
reading other people’s minds if I focused hard enough. I had more
abilities than most of my clan. On the other hand, the average
Selkie could only change form. If I could help them bring out even
a little magic, it would improve their lives and improve Ronac. The
island and fortress would be better protected if everyone could
defend it and not just Dad’s guard. Ula seemed worried though, and
I wondered why. “What’s the harm in teaching them?”
    “If you give them power, they may try to
overthrow your dad.”
    “Nonsense.” I paused in my pacing and faced
her. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
    “No,” she answered quickly. “My brother is a
fair ruler. There is no reason to overthrow him.”
    “Exactly.” My initial thoughts were of Arren
and the other teen Selkies. They were harmless as puppies. I could
teach them to fight and protect themselves. It wouldn’t hurt to
explain about human life, too. Their ignorance made me wince. Which
reminded me… “How was the concert?”
    I missed the first concert that Arren and his
band held at the last Selkie celebration. Given the costumes they
were wearing, I could only imagine the probable mashup of songs
from Madonna and the Beastie Boys. Not pretty. I wasn’t sorry that
I missed it, although it might’ve been entertaining.
    Ula shuddered. “As bad as you thought it was
going to be. I told you my ears bled the first time I heard them.
This wasn’t any better. Thanks again for leaving me there.”
    “Sorry, Ula.” I ruined my apology by
laughing. The teenage Selkies really had no clue about humans. If I
educated them on humanity while teaching defense, we might not have
to hide so much. We could blend and, therefore, interact. We
certainly wouldn’t be just sitting here, waiting for someone or
something to attack.
    “Meara?” Ula’s hand on my arm brought me back
to the present. “You were going to tell me something. Was that it?
Teaching Selkies magic?”
    “You know I went to rescue Evan.” When she
nodded, I said, “Kieran came with me.” Her eyes narrowed, but she
didn’t interrupt. “We went to the house, but it was too late. They
left in a hurry, but everyone was gone. All, except one.”
    “Who?”
    “Evan’s professor, Ted Nolan. He was beaten
and locked in a cell.”
    Ula’s hands covered her mouth. “Is he
okay?”
    I shook my head. “He’s dead. He died in front
of us.”
    Ula gasped and squeezed my arm.