The deck was empty, save for the few unlucky souls who were still cramping themselves into the few remaining crafts. With only one lifeboat and too many men to hold, there was a hysteric shuffle for the craft.

"Over here," Jax called, pushing his way to the railing as a thunderous crack reverberated through the ship. "The mast is going to break soon. We don't want to be here when that happens."

"You don't need to use the lifeboat," I noted. "You're like me."

"Yes, now we need to leave." He held out his hand to help me to the railing. "It's a simple jump."

"I don't doubt that. We should hurry, no?"

I climbed over, letting his hand fall next to him. The watcher sloshed around the hull and I could seal cracks where water was pouring in like an invader.

My feet left the desk and I found myself plummeting to the water once more. This time, I felt like I was returning home.

Jax appeared next to me in a billow of bubbles. The blood from his shirt faded in the water leaving a pink stain. He pulled his shirt up, pointing to the fading gash on his chest. The skin pinched together and lightened until nothing was left, no scar or blood.

With everything I had seen, the oddest wasn't the wound healing, but the man floating next to me, eyes glowing in the water. I could feel my heart twitch, wanting to connect, but I pulled it back. I knew nothing for certain about Jax.

When he saw my face, his head tilted. "I apologize if this is too much at once. I don't want to overwhelm you."

His voice was eerie. It rang higher, an octave under a screech. I had never heard anything like it.

"We can speak," I said, testing out the ability.

The sound didn't originate in my mouth like other words. Instead, it can form a pressure just below my collar. Vibrations rippling up my neck until they reached my mouth.

"It's a shock at first. Come," he shot forward, calling over his shoulder, "we have places to be. There is a ship following, just beyond the storm. We need to meet her."

I did as I was told, following Jax into the inky water. The storm didn't reach this deep, only the glint of light and the buzz of electricity gave me any indication that it existed at all.

Even with everything that had happened, there was no more conversation, but I was glad. I needed time to think, to set my thoughts straight.

Jax had known my name and where to find me which wouldn't have been suspicious, but he also was adamant about getting me off the ship. His earlier scheme no longer made sense and I could only think he had been there specifically for me if that was the case, but it made no sense.

Then, like a beacon, the hull of a ship appeared. It was vastly different from The Black Voyage. The most notable difference was the size. While The Black Voyage was average size with a single sail, this ship boasted double masts and three levels. It was the image of a trading vessel at its finest.

"This is your ship?" I asked, swimming to the surface.

The storm had long faded behind us leaving the clear sky and rainbow after. The ship's hull cut clean through the tide until it was benign down on it.

"Not mine, but a friend's," Jax declared, swimming to the rear. Along the stern, a steel ladder was punched in the wood leaving from the water to the helm. "They'll be at the top, probably still looking for any trace of us in the wreck."

He hauled himself out, climbing the first few feet before turning back to me. "Are you going to spend all day in the water? I wouldn't blame you, but you won't get answers down there."

I grabbed the lowest metal bar, flinching at its cold touch. Nevertheless, I left the water. It felt like there was an absence, the lack of life away from it. Slowly, I climbed, passing the golden "Spirit" inscribed on the stern.

"Jax, you've returned," a voice boomed from above. "Did you lose the girl? Pity, she would have been useful."

"I didn't, Alex." Jax gave his companion a moment to process his words. In that time I had finished my climb, pulling myself over the rail.

The man, Alex, was wearing a tricorn and full captain's uniform and tricorn. He looked like he belonged at the helm, like a leader. He had a thick beard that looked up the lower half of his face and deep brown eyes.

"You mean she turned?" He looked from Jax to me, brows raised. "Why would The Ocean turn her? It doesn't make sense."

"Life we know why any of us are turned, but she's one of us." Jax lowered his voice. "Think about it, this could make our job easier."

"Jax," I interrupted. I couldn't stand them acting like I wasn't here, but I couldn't berate them for that. "You said if I came with you I would get answered."

I rolled on the back of my feet, feeling both of their gazes on me. There was so much that seemed on the tip of my mind, but just out of reach. It was causing a headache, my mind reeling with possibilities.

"I did promise her, and we owe her that much," Jax agreed.

"Miss Maurea, that is what you prefer to be called?" I nodded and Alex continued. "Would it be acceptable if my wife explains what happened to you? Jax and I will join the both of you for dinner after we finish talking. Any further questions could be answered then."

He barely gave me a chance to answer before leaning over the railing and shouting down to the crew. There was a chorus of voices joining in, calling for the lady of the ship.

Only a moment later a woman appeared at the top of the steps, pulling Jax in for a hug. "Alexander and I were worried you got caught in the wreckage."

"She was worried," Alexander clarified. "Wouldn't stop pacing the deck."

"Oh hush you old man." Her eyes caught me, looking me up and down.

Helena was wearing the same outfit as her husband, but a thin shirt that ended just above her boots. There were no curls in her hair, just windblown locks. Even so, she must look remarkably more civilized than me.

"Maurea, you poor dear," Helena cooed, pulling me into a hug instead. "Let's get you some clothes."

"Helena, dear. Could you explain our situation to her?" Alex's words softened her even more. "She deserves an explanation."

I didn't think her hug could have a remarkable effect on me, but I wanted to slump into her embrace. She was warm and lively, like the sister I wanted to be with me.

"Come now," Helena wrapped her arm through mine, "I should have some clothing you can wear."

"Thank you," I managed to whisper.

I became starkly aware of my thin underclothes as we made our way down the stairs. I had no shoes and the thin layer stuck to my body. The Spirits crew kept their eyes avert, focused on their tasks.

"Don't worry," Helena giggled. "Working on this boat they will see hundreds of unexplained things. No one will mention or harass you. If anything, we're a family and as our guest, you'll have the utmost respect."

I didn't respond and Helena opened the door to the captain's quarters, shooing me in.

The doors led to a rich room with a warm character. The stained glass at the back of the room was pierced by the setting sun, bathing the room in a warm orange glow. The furniture placed tastefully around the room was homey and looked more comfortable than I could imagine after a week of sleeping on the hard rocks of the cave. Standing in the peaceful, comforting room I finally felt the long tendrils of exhaustion streak up my legs and rest at the base of my spine

I watched the women walk into the sitting area where a tea set was waiting on an old, glass table. She folded her dress as she sat, sinking into the plush seat. As soon as she was inside, her formal appearance faded away and left a tall woman with a chipper step.

Her movements were slow and peaceful but maintained a childish air, an innocent aura handing on her every move. She poured two cups of tea and added a generous amount of sugar to the one resting in front of her.

"What would you like?" She glanced up at me while stirring the clear crystals into the amber liquid. Her soft smile coaxed the words from my mouth before I realized what I was doing.

"Just milk or cream if you have it." I moved to sit across from the women, my feet sinking into the plush carpet, the warmth flowing into my bare soles. I hesitated before sitting down.

"Do you have a change of clothes? I'd love to join you, but I'm afraid I'd ruin the furniture." I felt uneasy asking the woman for more seeing as she had just welcomed me graciously.

"Of course. It's not often another woman is on board, but I think I can find something that fits you." The woman's voice was warm and it took me a moment to realize she was teasing me. "The dress you're wearing now is a few sizes too small. Are you aware?"

The women stood, moving around the small table to the back of the room. She opened a thick oak door and stepped inside.

"Come on, dear. If you follow me, I can find something warm and soft for you to wear." I did what she asked and followed her through the door.

The room I entered was significantly smaller and fitted with a wardrobe, a large bed, and a vanity mirror. The women opened up a wardrobe and searched through it, selecting the proper undergarments and finally a dress.

The rich blue fabric was the exact shade of after-sunset navy. It was beautiful.

The woman handed me the clothing and walked to the door, setting a pair of worn, leather boots next to the vanity. She rested for a second, motioning for me to get dressed before closing the door. Her white skirt whirled around the corner as the door shut behind her.

I hesitated for a moment before shedding my tattered underclothes and slipping into the new fabric. The cloth was warm and soft, just like the women promised. It was simple and functional. The dark blue fabric tied under my chest then fell like a waterfall to my feet, an older style but it was comfortable nonetheless.

The picture of Isabella I had stashed in my corset was still there, but it was severely water damaged. The inks had bled through the paper leaving a watercolor of black and grey, the only remnants of the beautiful woman who had resided on it.

I crumpled up the useless paper and discarded it on the nightstand, sighing. The one image I had of her was lost forever and I was still uncertain about our next meeting. That might have been the last image I had of her smiling at me.

I turned from the ruined photo to the dress, the one thing I could control. The fabric spread down my arms and ended in a tuffet of lace just above the elbow. Moving to look at my appearance in the mirror, I found that the dress fit beautifully, if not for the length of the material.

I put on the boots and laced them up. The leather rubbed against my rough soles causing discomfort, but it soon faded. Standing, I found the boots gave me enough height to walk in the dress. However, when I stepped forward, I stumbled. The elevation in the back of the boot made me feel like I was falling forward.

Wincing at my disheveled hair, I bunched the dress into my arms before walking out of the room.

The woman was still looking up at me, chuckling as she watched me struggle in the new footwear.

"Are they suitable?" She seemed to doubt herself for an instant, worry flashing over her features before relaxing into her usual appearance.

"Yes," I hesitated, unsure what to call the women. "Your name, it's Helena, yes? And your husband is Alexander?"

"My apologies. My name is Helena. You can refer to both me and my husband by Captain or our first names." Her lips had a natural pout that exaggerated when she spoke, the sides pulling down despite the glow from her eyes. "I am happy you arrived healthy and safe."

I looked away as I sat, taking the teacup in front of me, "Yes, I am fortunate to be here."

The women smiled. She twirled her wedding ring around her finger. I hadn't noticed before.

"How long have the two of you been married?" The woman didn't look very old, but she held herself like someone who had lived a thousand lives. "Do you know Jax well?"

"Alexander and I have been happily married for three years. As for Jax, he's a good friend. I've known him almost as long as I've known my husband. It was a hard decision, moving from Central Europe to live a life on the sea, but Alexander was worth it. Do you have someone like that?" Her voice was bright when she talked about her marriage and, for a moment, I didn't want her to stop. I feared as soon as she did, I would miss the excitement she radiated.

"No. I haven't met anyone like that." My voice was awkward, unused to such a blunt woman.

Helena grabbed my hand, holding it out in front. "Don't worry, dear. You will."

"I doubt that." The bitter words cut my tongue and for a moment I worried I had affected her.

Instead, Helena was smiling a secretive smile. "I believe you will. They just might have to be born yet or are out there waiting for you." She sounded like a preacher. So sure of herself and filled with hope.

It took me a moment for her statement to sink in. "What do you mean 'he hasn't been born yet?"

My eyebrows furrowed as she covered her mouth. Her eyebrows turned up, small, almost unnoticeable, wrinkles forming on her temple. I began to fill in the missing pieces as she looked to the closed door with a secretive smile.