We gathered in Intutum, no one ready to leave the beach. The moment we stepped out of the water was the moment we could no longer admit one of us was gone.

"Jax," I knew he was behind me. He hadn't moved since we arrived, "I want to talk to Perkha and Atoya, admit everything."

"I'll gather them then, and Siren."

I nodded, still looking at the village, ripping in the water lapping at my knees. I had felt it the moment I left the burial behind, I would tell them. No other time would do.

"Would you like anyone else to be there?"

"Not yet," I muttered. "I need to tell them first."

"We should hurry. They'll retire to their quarters and it'll be suspicious if we're disturbing three of the council members."

"I suppose you're right. I'll ask Perkha if you handle Siren and Atoya. We can use the library. No one will be there."

"Then we'll meet there."

It didn't take long to find Perkha. She was grouped with Daniel, the only other Venom, and Anaula with Faraji sitting in the shallows a way off.

"Perkha," I bowed my head, staring at the fold of her light dress, "would I be able to talk to you privately? In the library?"

"Oh, you don't have to ask. I understand that it's difficult now." She excused herself with a wave of her hand and took my arm, leading me away. "Are you alright, I know you've never seen this side of being a Spirit."

"That's not what I wanted to speak to you about," I took a shaky breath. "In all honesty, Jax is gathering Atoya and Siren. There is something we think might help."

"Then I look forward to the conversation."

"I hardly think you'll agree after I've spoken." I paused before adding the last part. "I hope you will, though."

"You are under my protection. I will support you no matter what we discuss."

The library came into sight and Perkha's grip loosened, falling to her side leaving my arm bare and cold.

The structure was hidden in the mass of woods that was perhaps six acres and took up half the island. The trees were thick and impenetrable along the edge, except for the narrow slit of beaten-down grass that led into the heart of the forest where the library sat.

The spirals of the building reached toward the treeline, peaking out in a stubborn display from the air. The gothic peaks were covered in vines that hung from the canopy, thin beams of sun showering them in light.

It looked like a fairy garden with old stone brights and a wide double door that was always closed. I had only visited once, but it stuck with you.

The doors squealed as we entered, sending the thin layer of dust scattering at our feet. Volumes that had long been abandoned seemed to glow on the sleeves that reached toward the sky, blocking everything out but the stained glass above that depicted a swirling wave.

I was told the oldest books had been written by other Spirits, rare writing utensils utilized to share their stories. Those were the Spirits who had long since disappeared into the world or the waves, leaving behind only ancient writings. I had seen the pages cracked skins and parchment with old symbols and barely legible handwriting.

"They'd be in the upper chambers," Perkha mused, making her way to the tower entrance where a spiral staircase led to a sitting room.

The room was wide with the furniture pushed along the edges with one large window big enough for a Flyer to fit through. Perched along the sofas in the center were Jax, Siren, and Atoya.

Perkha and I took our seats, Perkha next to the council members and me directly next to Jax. Their eyes fixed on us and the world fell on my shoulders.

"You've called us here?" Atoya said, his hands placed comfortably on his lap much like Perkha.

"Yes," Jax started, his hands raising to gesture. "There's something that we haven't told you. I didn't think you'd ever find out or care and it's my fault for convincing Maurea of the same thing, but we haven't been honest with you."

He looked at me and I nodded, forcing a stoic expression to my face. "Jax was on The Black Voyage to collect the daughter of Lord de'Laure, prominent Hunter leader." I closed my eyes, forcing the next words. "Cormac de'Laure is- was -my father."

Siren's face pinched, color draining from his already pale face as his lips pinched, pale eyes bulging. "You kept something so vital from us-" he began, voice scarcely above a scream.

"I already knew. Siren," the dark hand slipped into the pale, "I trust her as does Jax. I didn't say anything, because she deserved a chance. Hasn't she proved herself?"

"That's not the problem," Siren hissed, but his voice was exceptionally lower.

"I have to say, I'm surprised." Perkha's voice droned out the others and all eyes turned to her. "There's no reason to think she'd be a danger to Intutum, yes Jax?"

"She's not lying when she says she knew nothing before the wreck. I don't see any reason she's a danger."

"What if they come looking for her?" Siren hissed, sitting forward. "The Hunter's have never been this close and now an attack on Faraji and the Spirit we just laid to rest."

"I don't know," I answered honestly, my palms curling together. "I found a wanted poster in town. They've been asking, but they only think of me as a run-away daughter. As much as my father knows, I'm across the world."

"You were a run-away?" I nodded, my curls bouncing to cup my face. "Then isn't this further proof she doesn't have anything to do with them? She willingly left them."

"But they could still follow and how would you tell Faraji and Anaula? They lost the equivalent of a daughter to them. How will anyone here take the news that we are harboring their enemy's daughter?"

"May I say something?"

I waited what felt like an eternity, the eyes trained on me as my heartbeat quickened. The pounding rang in my ears until I almost missed the approval from Atoya.

"I love Intutum and I have no allegiance to the Hunters. If you let me stay, I promise to fight for it and never betray its interests." My hands clenched, metal bridging on metal. "Intutum is more like home than anywhere else in the world."

"I can't say it would be wise with the present circumstances to keep your identity secret," Perkha looked to her counterparts, daring them to object.

"If I may make a suggestion," Atoya's words were kind, and I couldn't help but drink them in, "have Maurea prove herself to Intutum. As much as we could prove with a Seductors sense, there would still be doubt. Do you know anything of the Hunter's we could use?"

"Nothing," I whispered. "I didn't know about it."

"Then go into the mortal world and find something that will help them understand, to give them a reason to believe you and fight."

"You've been looking for a reason to go to war," Jax spoke, making his presence known. "You want to use her to find a reason big enough for Intutum to join together."

He wasn't mad, I knew that much. There were shared respect and understanding. I could feel it because I had it too.

"What should I look for?" I couldn't imagine anything about the Hunters, other than the bodies of monsters with my father's face in the front.

"Anything you can. Documents, locations, weaknesses, anything that will give us an advantage. These people," Atoya turned passionate, voice loud for the first time, "they need something to grasp onto, to believe in. If we can give them something solid, irrefutable, they will listen."

"Then I'll go," I said, the burn of uncertainty finally diminishing. "My sister may be able to help and there is no one I would trust more to help. She was able to smuggle me away. If she can do that, there must be something she can tell me."

I stood, shoulders set and an unparalleled assurance burning in my chest. It was like the thin sliver of hope had taken root, forcing my heart to beat until this moment when I could join it again.

"Jax," I turned, defiant, "it's a lot to ask, but would you join me? I trust you and there is no one more skilled at acquiring secret information."

"I would have followed from a distance if needed," he smirked. "I've been waiting for an opportunity like this for years and have been willing to fight since the beginning."

"I'll leave you to your planning," Perkha stood, her smile reserved, but a glimmer of pride nonetheless. "I haven't done much to train you, but I don't underestimate your ability."

"Thank you," I turned to Atoya and Siren, greedily wanting more approval. Siren couldn't offer it, but Atoya had a gleam in his eyes that did not come from the transparent lid.

"We should leave now," I turned to Jax, hands flying about. "I should change into something else. Maybe a man, less noticeable with two men traveling. We'll need provisions if we're away from the water. Maybe weapons in case trouble come up."

My rambling continued down the stairs, Jax following patiently. When we approached the village he stopped, grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him, effectively shutting me up.

"I have a plan," he said, a grin in place.

My smile grew to match him, both of us beaming in the middle of the field, a new buzz in the otherwise mournful air.