The town where Liu Ming lived was small and quaint, nestled in a valley between twin rolling hills. Cows grazed along the stone wall separating the ramshackle houses and the farm land around it. A small pond bled into an intricate system and I could see small figures, children, playing among the reeds.

I couldn't help but pause, taking in the view. It looked so much like Intutum, but lacked the flora and fauna that somehow managed to grow underground. For the first time, I felt the pang of homesickness for a place, not a person.

I began my begrudged walk around the town, angling toward the house that lay on the outskirts of town. Clumps of smoke lifted from the run-down chimney as an old woman worked to clean the garden around the house. I could see her worn hands pulling long weeds from the earth as a child rocks on a whisker basket that had been turned over, her feet and auburn curls swaying with the wind.

"Gooday, ma'am. Could you point me in the direction of Liu Ming, I was told she lived on the outskirts of this village." The old woman stood, bones cracking at the sudden shift. Her eyes narrowed, her creased forehead accentuating as her sagging skin pulled inward.

"Who are you? I haven't seen you around these parts."

I looked down at my tattered clothes. I could see where I might spark some fear and apprehension, especially amongst close minded country folks.

"I'm just passing through, on my way to my old home and I was hoping to find an old friend along the way," I offered, rocking on the ball of my heels. "If you can't help me find her, I can always ask someone else."

"That won't be necessary, Miss?" The woman cut off, watery eyes staring at me under raised brows.

"You may call me Maurea if you would like."

"Miss Maurea, then. I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone of the name Ming. That's foreign, you're not likely to find someone around these parts."

"Do you know someone I could ask, another person who might know more people in the area? Perhaps the village elder?" I hadn't seen anyone in the village, one the few shutters moving as people looked through. Most of the villagers were in the fields. Perhaps this was not the right village or Liu Ming was hiding deeper than I thought.

"Not one that comes to mind, we keep to ourselves here. May I ask what you want from her?" The old woman's expression shifted into what I assumed would be a coy look on a younger person. "Pardon an old woman. We don't get many gossip worthy topics here."

"It's no trouble, I just need her help and was told she was someone to trust." I straightened the riding suit and turned, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, I will take my leave now."

"One moment, Maurea." The woman turned to the child at her feet, her already sagging back bending even farther to adjust to the girl's height. "Leila, can you leave us alone for now?"

Leila nodded, braids bobbing on her head as she turned and ran down the hill, calling to the other children as she went.

"She's still young," the woman mused, "I remember when I was her age. That was many years ago. Now," she turned to stare at her, her eyes bleeding into mine, "I don't know who sent you, but you need to explain who you are and I mean who you are. I don't want any lies."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I've told you the truth. I'm traveling to my old home and need to find Liu Ming along the way. If you cannot help me, I'll be off and stop wasting your time."

"That won't do, Maurea. If I knew Liu Ming, what would convince me to tell you where she is? A young lady should be able to live without having to look over her shoulder to see if people are following her and spreading her name like it's a leaf on the wind." The old woman raised her finger, pointing the knobby tip at me.

"What did you say your name was?" I began to suspect that Liu Ming might have more to do with this old woman than she would admit to. I was young, not oblivious.

"Answer my question and then I might tell you," the woman's tone was harsh, warning. "I have been very forthcoming to this point, now it is your turn."

"As you wish, ma'am," I bit out. "I am like Liu Ming, we have something in common other than history." I could see the old woman's eyes light up as she moved closer, hands rubbing together. "You see, we both have something the other can help with. I need help saving the people I love, and I was told I could return the favor." I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart. "Would you please tell me the whereabouts of Liu Ming, I am short on time as it would happen."

"That I can help you with, dear." The woman ushered me inside, her dry hands having a surprisingly sturdy grip. "After all, you and I are alike. It seems be can help each other, my name is Liu Ming."

In the last few weeks I had sunk a ship, befriended a Seductor, been shown a magical city hidden underground and conversed with The Ocean. None of these prepared me for Liu Ming.

I couldn't say I was surprised, the old woman was too secretive and protective of Liu Ming to not be close to her. I never would have suspected that the ancient figure was a Spirit though, she was too normal, a person I would have overlooked at the market and never bothered thinking about again.

I watched as her face began to squirm, wrinkles moving along her jaw and into her hairline. Smooth skin took over, paling as softer features became prominent. As her face morphed, the young woman locked the door.

"So what are you?" Her tone was bland and distant, the opposite of the old woman.

"I'm a Spirit," I responded. I still couldn't believe the transformation I had just seen or the woman in front of me now. She was the same height as the old woman had been, but her back was straight. The silver hair was dark, still coiled in the bun at the base of her scalp. The most startling difference was the hawk-like eyes that burned light brown, the iris shifting as the blue gave way to the inky darkness.

"That is not what I meant." Her lips barely moved as her stiff voice filled the tense silence.

"What do you mean?"

"I meant what is your curse?"

Her arms were crossed as she leaned against the wall opposite me. Her presence took up the whole room and I knew if I tried to leave without permission, she would stop me. I was just glad I had piqued her interest and she wasn't dismissing my plea for help.

"I have venom," I muttered. The tips of my fingers throbbed as I spoke, reminding me of the power they held.

"Meaning?"

I shifted in my seat. The thick blankets underneath me were stiff and dirty making it hard for me to believe Liu Ming slept here.

"My nails are poisonous." I flexed my fingers to demonstrate. "If I scratch someone, they die."

She hadn't moved, but her eyes seemed to be more peaceful, no longer boring a hole into me but studying my clothes, hands and face. Her question startled me and I began to respect the women. Despite the large clothing, I could see definite muscle and her posture was nothing less than perfect. If I hadn't known better, I would have assumed she was a guard like my family used to employ. Their backs were always stiff as sticks and they hid their emotions well.

"What makes you think that showing up here, in the middle of the day, would help convince me to help you? What could you possibly offer as a trade?"

"I have nothing of material value, but I can offer my services in any future endeavor you might need help in," I rolled my shoulders and took a deep breath, "After all, you never know when you could use a friend."

"I don't need friends."

"Then take me as an ally," I begged. "I need help freeing my family from a group of Hunters who have taken them prisoner. I have an idea as to their location, but I will need help if I am to free them."

The distant expression Liu Ming wore flickered for a moment, interest and perhaps hope were quickly hidden under an icy layer, but I could feel my confidence yield knowing I had cracked her wall.

"This prison, have you seen it?" Her body pushed off the wall, no longer leaning away from me.

"No, but I have a decent guess as to the place. If I am wrong, I know how we can find it, but we need to hurry."

Liu Ming stood motionless, the corners of her lips twitching as she watched something I couldn't see. Her shoulders dropped as she finally relaxed, eyebrows pulling together as she exhaled.

"I will help you, but I need to know everything, and I mean any possible detail that could be relevant," she stressed. "If your escape plan is to work, you need to be willing to do whatever it takes. Are you willing to face that possibility?"

A solemn grin pulled at the corner of my lip, "For these people, I am willing to do whatever it takes."

"Then tell me everything." Liu Ming began opening the cupboard and chest, gathering materials from around the room.

"Where is the prison?"

"If I am correct, it should be somewhere on my family's grounds. Their land expands out from a central house where we should start our search. I would know if they kept a hidden dungeon in the main building, but we cannot disípeme the possibility. As for the rest of the land, we will need help to find it and I have the perfect person to help us."

"Is this person someone we can trust?" Liu Ming looked up from her spot on the floor, piles of cloth and weapons layer out in front of her. "If the prison is on the grounds, any questions can lead to our capture or the movement of the prisoners. We cannot afford a mistake."

"The woman is one of the people we need to rescue, my sister. She has already decided to side with us in the upcoming war with the Hunters."

"She is a Hunters and you trust her?" Liu Ming scoffed, "You must be a fool."

"I was raised in the same family. Isabella would not betray us, she would not betray me." I was standing now, the back of my thighs brushing against the bed.

"That is not reassuring," Liu Ming sighed, her stoic features clenching. She didn't say anything and I stopped arguing with her. I had already convinced her to help my desperate escape attempt, anything else was pushing my luck.

"Is there a limit to your shifting ability?" I asked after ten minutes of so, "can you become anyone?"

Liu Ming stiffened at my words, her burlap bag half packed in front of her, one arm hovering over it for a moment. Her back was toward me, but I could feel the coldness that emanated from her.

"I cannot turn into people, rather I can look like them. Do you have someone in mind?"

"My father owns the estate and with his company, I could look freely." I funnel my fingers into my palms. He couldn't be worse than my ex-fiancé, but Felipe de'Laure was not a face I would welcome as company.

"I would need to study him closely, within a few feet of him." Liu Ming stood, throwing her bag over her shoulder, the clothing that had fit the old woman hanging loosely on her figure. "Otherwise, no one would be fooled."

I bit my lip, thinking of anyway to get my father along, away from his usual court of companions. The man was never alone whether it be a family member or guard, he was careful to always be with someone.

"I don't think he would be a viable option, but I have another idea. It will be as effective, if not riskier, but it should yield the same result."

"Then I will follow you," Liu Ming gestured to the door, "but explain as you walk."