As we moved through the village, the life I had previously missed became apparent. There was no glass in the apartment windows, only thin shutters that couldn't hide the voices that lived within.

The voices were warm like the first spring breeze. It dug into my muscles, loosening my tight shoulders and stiff brow.

"After getting you a change of clothes, we'll find an apartment for you." Jax held open a door in the farthest building.

It was large, stretching across the curve until it curled out of sight and aligned another building. I could have believed it was a back alley with the cobbled street and dim lighting if it wasn't for the hum in the air.

The shop we entered was bright and fragrant. The walls were hung with cloth and strings of beads. Somewhere in the deeper part of the room, the earthy fragrance of flowers and wood radiated.

The clothing Atoya and Siren had worn was hung on a long curtain rod to my left. Shades of grey and black were drowned out in lilacs, turquoise, and maroon.

"Yoki, I've brought someone here for you to help." Jax pushed aside a rack of cloth, filing through the skin suits.

There was a thunk and a woman rose from behind a workstation. Her hand was rubbing the back of her head, long black hair getting ruffled.

"You've got to knock before barging in," she said, her voice deep.

"Maura, this is Yoki. She's our resident clothing professional."

"I had to find something to fill the time," Yoki laughed. "With how much water there is, no clothing would hold up."

"You've designed everything in here? Where do you get the material?"

"With enough time and resources, I can find anything I need. I've had years to compile my stock. Jax, men out when a woman is fitting."

Jax held his hands up, backing toward the door with a grin on his face. "I know the rules. Trust what Yoki says, Maurea. She knows what she's talking about."

He disappeared out the door and Yoki started filing through the rack of tight cloth. She pulled a few off and held them up to me, her nose scrunched.

"Don't mind him. I think he's happy not being the newest Spirit. Besides, he acts like a child more often than not."

"You seem close," I prompted.

"I think we are close, but Jax is more free-spirited if you pardon my joke. He only stays in The Dark Quarter for a few months of the year. He doesn't know the other Spirits as well."

"Still, you have known each other for years. I wondered if you had taken another step." Zaya's face froze, her chin dipping. "My apologies. I shouldn't have asked such a personal question."

I was startled as Zaya startled laughing. It sounded like bells, her blue eyes watering as her body shook. "Maybe at one point we grew closer, but that was years ago. He's more like a brother than anything."

"It must be nice to know a person for so long, knowing the person as well as yourself."

"It's easier, but it lacks the mystery," Zaya whipped her eyes. "You'll learn to love mystery as you age. Too many places to see and the rest of your life to solve them. Back to clothing now. Not that I don't enjoy your questions. Have you a preference over colors?"

"None," I muttered, watching her discard a deep green dress that looked like it could have been floating in the seaweed at the bottom of the lagoon. "Do I have to wear one of these? I've managed without."

"I'll fit you for one of these. Then, you can choose some clothes to wear over. Most are more comfortable with designs from their era." Yoki stood back so I could see the dress that wrapped around her shoulders and hung to her knees. "You wear them on land and take them off to swim."

"When did you die?" I asked, biting my tongue as soon as the words were out. "I don't need to know," I hurriedly filled in, "I just happened to be curious. A friend's encouraged me to be more vocal about my questions."

"I don't mind," Yoki smiled, holding her hand up. "I don't know the year for certain, but it was a few centuries ago in America. At the time, it wasn't known to this country."

"Why choose to come here? Not that it isn't lovely, but wouldn't it grow too confining?"

"After enough lifetimes, you'll learn to appreciate people you can grow with. A similar lifespan is ideal and Intuitum is very open-minded."

She pushed me into the back of the shop where a thin paper barrel separated a washtub. It was bigger than any I had seen, big enough for me to fully submerge if I needed to. The sides were smooth and curved inward like the top of an egg that had been chipped off.

"Undress and slip into this," Yoki handed me a bundle of grey cloth. "I'll wait for you to be dressed."

She pulled the paper curtain closed and I could hear her rustling about the front.

I did as she said, peeling off the damp dress and letting it pile on the floor. It left me bare and I pulled the grey clothing on.

I had never felt anything quite like it. The fabric was light but sturdy. It hung off me, hanging around my ankles and upper arms.

"I'm dressed," I called, pushing back the rough paper. "I think you might have selected clothing meant for someone larger than me."

"Nonsense, just step into the water and have a good soak. The fabric will shrink and when you want it to come off, pour warm water over it."

I couldn't help doubt her as I clambered up the crate next to the tub and slipped in. The water was up to my neck, sharp and cold like stepping outdoors after the first snowfall.

The cloth seemed to shiver and pull in on itself, fitting to my body. I couldn't stop the small grunt of surprise that emerged from my lips.

"It's stuck to me," I called, pulling myself out.

The fabric wasn't hard to move as I had estimated. Instead, it stretched where needed and fell back to its predestined space when relaxed. It was no different from the corsets I was accustomed to.

The paper wall snapped back and Yoki stood, her arms bundled with fabric. Her eyes looked me up and down, bringing a shiver to my spine.

"It could be worse for a first suit. Nothing to brag about, but still suitable." Yoki grabbed a few dresses over the curtain rod and pilled blouses, slacks, and cloaks on a bin. "It's not fashionable. If you want fun, I have personal favorites locked up."

"I don't require anything fashionable or fun, just sensible. You've already helped me and given me clothes for free, that's more than enough."

I pulled down the first three dresses, pilling them up in my arms. They were plain: a pale pink, periwinkle blue, and stormy grey. The wet dress I had discarded found its place in my other hand.

"Are you sure you don't want more? No one ever needs my help."

"Did you ever think of opening a shop in the city? Your designs are impressive, you'd be quite popular?"

"With the humans?" Yoki scoffed. "They'd never welcome me, not like Intutum."

For the first time since meeting Yoki, I truly looked at her. Her hair was wild and unstyled. No respectable woman would wear her dress, especially barefoot. Even with her skill, her heritage would not be overlooked.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, avoiding her eyes.

Yoki just hummed and grabbed my wet dress. "I'll let this dry and give it to me at the seventh turn. The hourglass," Yoki gave me a pointed look, "has no one explained it to you?"

I shook my head. There was so much no one was telling me. It was ridiculous.

"The glass turns every two hours. With no sun, it's how we track time."

"Is there anything else I should know? No one seems keen to tell me anything." I forced a laugh, but it sounded bitter and lifeless.

"Every evening, at the ninth turn, we meet. If you want prepared meals, the different Spirits bring together their dishes. Then, anyone who wants goes to the ocean. When the sun rises, we return."

"You return

because of the people, yes?" I pulled the dress on, tying the laces in the back. "I've noticed the Spirits here don't speak of humans? Should I avoid them as a topic?"

"It isn't taboo, but we return because of the water," Yoki's fist clenched at her sides. "You're young, so it wouldn't affect you."

I dug my feet into the ground. I was sick of people staring around me, telling me half-truths, and keeping secrets because they thought it would be better for me. Helena was right, I needed to start voicing my questions instead of biting my tongue.

"Explain to me, how would it? I won't know unless someone tells me."

"There is no need to raise your voice," Yoki scolded. I hadn't realized my voice had grown.

"I apologize. I do want answers, but this is your store and I should respect you as a guest," I bowed my head, straightening. "Would you kindly explain what you meant about the water affecting me?"

"Water can make a Spirit. The longer you're like us, the more it affects you, drives you mad. Most of the Spirits here limit their time in the water," Yoki's voice was tense.

"What do you mean by mad?"

"Your humanity lessens. We become mean, cruel. That's the other purpose of The Council, to protect our society from humans. They help us stay secret."

"So the stories of us being monsters are turned," my shoulder slumped, "I had wondered."

"Maurea," Yoki took my hands, pulling me forward so I stood in the center of the shop. "You are not a monster no more than any other Spirit. We walk the line between man and monster, but that proves our humanity. We want to be good, more than most humans."

"The Hunters?"

Yoki nodded, her black hair framing her eyes. "Trust the Spirits, we stay secret and safe together. Now," she let go of my hands, "I think Jax has waited long enough for you."

She opened the door, holding it for me. "I'll have your dress tonight. For now, settle in and rest. It's never an easy transition."

"Once again, thank you for your help and service."

"It's not necessary. Remember, if you need anything, I'll be here. Just knock or come in." She sent me a last, bright smile before closing the door.

I couldn't dismiss the thought that I had done or said something wrong. Her sweet disposition had turned bitter at the end, temper short. Nothing here made sense. It was so different from the world I was used to.