Time slipped away with no nights and days. Without the meals, there would have been nothing to keep me grounded. It was a peaceful life, I could feel the stain from my former reality leeching away every day. It had only been just under two months, but it was the therapy I needed.

I grew closer to Jax and the other Spirits. They had been distant at first, but as I became a regular accurate they began opening to me. I made friends and shed many prejudices that I had been raised with.

The few night swims I took were short, too crowded for my liking. The short sleeves and skin-tight pants we all wore were perfect for the water, cutting through the liquid as elegantly as a seal. The only difference between my attire and those of the other Spirits was the thick gloves I wore, the silver tips adding a layer of protection for my new family.

I ran a brush through the thick tangles that had taken a semi-permanent place on my head. While my hands were occupied, I peered out the window.

Perkha sat in the outer circle of the plaza. As if sensing my eyes on her, she looked up. Her scarf moving over her head as the hidden quills rose under her covering. She smiled, half of her lip curling up.

Just past her, Anuala and Faraji strolled with one of their pupils. It was once a month when they had a chance to fly over the low tides along the cliffs up the coast. They had been crowing about it at the last meal.

A shadow passed the opposite window before stopping in front of me. Dark auburn curls appeared as Jax leaned down to meet my eyes. "Are you ready to go?"

"Just a moment, I'll be out soon."

I closed the shutters out of habit as much as a need for privacy and slipped into the back room. When Jax had suggested raiding ships for metals and jewelry to pawn, it had felt a bit like grave robbing. Nevertheless, I had no money for my name and a need for personal effects.

Intutum had furniture, but no extra combs, pots, or silverware. After borrowing extra tools from my neighbors, I could see them getting irritated.

"Everything is here," I said, closing and locking the door behind me. "Is Helena aware we will be calling on her?"

"Unfortunately," Jax groaned. "She yelled at me for the better part of an hour. You should have told us you wanted money, Helena would have given you some."

"I'd rather not owe anyone. I'll support myself."

We climbed down the ladder and set off through the village. Thin wisps of smoke curled up from a few, antique chimneys. The smell of warm bread emanates from the home of a Spirit who was famous for her pastries, always ready to provide them at the meal.

"You know it would be safer to go at night, avoid crowds who might recognize you."

"I hardly think anyone will recognize me," I mocked. "You don't have to accompany me. I'm not a little girl who needs a guard. I've been to town with my sister before, I can protect myself." I lifted my hands, wiggling my digits. "Especially against humans."

"I'd rather not let a new Spirit whose family is searching for her travel alone. If your family found you," he didn't finish his thought. He didn't have to.

No one else in Intutum knew who I truly was. Jax remained my only confidence and, as such, was the one to help me keep that secret. He had assured me time and time again that a few years and I would fade from the public eyes and no Spirit would remember the lost daughter of the high ranking Hunter.

We climbed the rickety stairs that curved along the wall, disappearing into the stone. The crystals that lit the cave continued with us.

I had never been to the human entrance, only heard about it. No Spirit would choose to walk when they could swim, but there was a need to keep our clothes and hair dry to preserve our normal appearance.

I knew Intutum was hidden under a cliff, but the stairs seemed to expand forever. My breath was shallow coming in deep, labored breaths as my legs burned with every step.

"I regret escorting you," Jax gapped from ahead. "If I had known how many steps there were I would have met you at the ship."

"I'm starting to regret it as well," I retorted, trying to hold my tone steady but failing.

"I can see the entrance up ahead. We can't be more than ten meters from it."

He was right, the end of the cave appeared over Jax's shoulders. There was a thin ray of light radiating under a metal door.

"Where does it lead to?" I asked, joining Jax in front of it.

"Another cave," he threw his weight against the left corner, grunting as the door pushed into the passage beyond. "It'll be harder to get back in."

"Couldn't a human happen upon the cave and find the entrance?" I asked as I passed him.

"You need strength and the blood of a Spirit to get through. There's a lock," he pointed to a stone where the figurative handle would be. A long, smooth rock was carved into the rock. "When it comes to Intutum's security, no one will get in without our help."

"It seems barbaric to require a blood sacrifice to enter."

"No one would argue that it's worth it to keep us safe. This entrance was only used when family or friends who were mortal came to visit. It's hardly needed now."

"I suppose you're right," I turned and followed Jax out of the cave into the bright morning sun. It had been so long since I had seen its soft light that I stopped, face angled up to its beams.

I felt Jax stop next to me, mirroring my actions. The warmth was like the gentle caress of a loved one, warming my body as much as my soul.

"I didn't realize how long it had been. Fresh air, the bright sun; they shouldn't be strangers."

"It does seem foolish looking back," Jax laughed. "Could you imagine if our complexions change? We'd look pale as death."

"Maybe it would remind us to leave Intutum regularly." I turned away from the light, looking over the cliff's edge where the waves thrashed against rocks. In the distance, the billowing sails of ships disappeared into the harbor. "We have a long walk."

"We should have set out earlier. It'll be noon before we reach the city," Jax groaned.

"Not if we hurry," I pushed forward at a brisk walk that bordered on a run, "I want to finish my shopping before visiting Helena."

"Hurry up then," Jax blew past me, his laughter echoing behind him.

I lifted my skirts, urging my legs to follow. My feet flew over the ground, barely touching the grass before pushing off again, tearing after the man in front of me.

Out laughter carried through the woods on our right and hung in the air over the open ocean, threatening to spill into the sea below. It felt good to move, push myself. There wasn't enough space in Intutum and the water never exerted me. It felt good to be weaker, to glimpse the feeling of mortality.

My eyebrows shot to my hairline as I saw how close we were to the town. A road weaved through the trees, just within eyesight. With a twist of an ankle, I sprawled forward, arms out to catch myself on a trunk.

My heart raced to my chest, both the result of strain and worry. We had been careless, pushing ourselves past human limits so close to a settlement.

"Jax," I called, my voice rigid as I marched forward. He stopped, head snapping around to look at me with a victorious look. "Slow down. You'll be seen."

"You act like I'm new at this," he retorted, hands cupped around his mouth. "Remember, I've been a Spirit longer than you've been alive."

I grit my teeth, knowing he was right. He usually was, but I rarely admitted it. My silence was admittance enough.

"Come on, we're close now."

"I didn't mean to be cruel," I hesitated, "I should have been clear in my meaning."

"You did nothing wrong," Jax assured, reaching out a hand. "Concern for my safety doesn't offend me. I won't be mad if you voice it."

I took his hand and he gave it a firm shake before letting it fall back at my side.

"I've never heard you yell before," he snorted. "It startled me more than offended."

"I've never yelled at anyone," I admitted, rubbing my arm, "let alone a man."

I looked up to find Jax's eyes closed, his lips tight. "Thank you for warning me," Jax's voice was bright and airy, contradicting his expression, "I hadn't noticed how close we were to the city." His eyes opened and I looked away, focused on the buildings growing ahead.

I had to wonder how often he lied to me. Not with words, but in action and tone. He admitted he was a Seductor, trained under Siren. Some of his traits were bound to bleed into Jax eventually.

"I know a pawn shop near us, pushed further into the red district, but it should offer fair trades." The smirk appeared on Jax's face once more. "If they don't, I'll know."