The wind stirred the long grass along the road where I was hidden. Every sound perked my interest whether it be the rhythmic breaths from Liu Ming or the dull trod of workers making their way to the fields along the worn dirt path in front of us.

My nerves grew as the sun began rising, making out hidden alcove more noticeable with every beam. Something wasn't right.

Our newest informant was due to arrive before sun up. Isabella had assured me that much. It was not like her to get the facts wrong. This could easily be a trap, but I would not be the first to make a move if that was the case.

My legs tingle from the way my leg jutted to the side, holding me in a position to run at a moment's notice. The fitted gloves were secured at my waist next to my father's old dagger. The moment Ellanoire was late I had begun preparing for a battle.

"We should leave," Liu Ming hissed as you're drawn hay cart passed. The workers bobbed on the back of it, heads lolling with sleep and I could feel my eyes dry.

"They will be here. I know her, she wouldn't betray us. Not with what's on the line."

Lady Ellanoire, my mother's dear sister, had responded immediately to Isabella's attempt to contact her. She had felt the tension growing after the bloody wedding. With two young sons, she feared they would be caught in the fighting. She was willing to help the Spirits, with the condition that her sons would be protected.

"With what she has on the line? What of the Spirits? With every new ally, we risk leading the Hunters to Intutum" Liu Ming bristled next to me, her stone-like stance morphing into a predator hunch. "When the sun breaks the treetop, I leave."

"They may have been held up, we cannot leave them."

"Then bring them yourself, my time is better spent working to find the Missing."

"And this won't accomplish that task? Lady Ellanoire may have the most likely directions of all our contacts."

"Or she could be saying what we need to hear to help her."

As Liu Ming continued to voice her concerns, I could hear the low cry of a toddler from the crest of the nearest hill.

I motioned to Liu Ming, but she was already focused on the road, her amber eyes narrowed.

"It must be them. Curl around the field and cut behind them," I ordered, "I will approach them first."

"If something goes wrong, get them to Intutum. I don't trust they didn't betray us."

"And yet do you know a mother who would use their child as bait?"

Liu Ming seemed to turn to ice as she crept by me, angling deeper into the grass, and the small party in the open-closed in.

The tallest figure was a woman, her arms clutching a young boy, his cheeks streaked with tears. Her other hand clutched a small carpetbag where a boy of eight at most walked. He to looked uncomfortable, but seemed to know better than to say anything.

The woman was fair-haired with deep-set blue eyes, the same eyes my mother had possessed, or at least that was what I had been told. The blue orbs were dancing around the field as she stopped at the crossroad, the bag being set at her feet as she bounced the crying child.

I gave it a minute, each second ticking away as I watched for any side of foul play. When none appeared, I crept forward.

Ellanoire's eyes met mine as I moved into the road. I was taller and my hair was chopped shorter, but I knew instantly she recognized me. Her shoulder slumped and an almost hopeful smile broke onto her face.

"Maurea, thank the lord. I was worried you would have left when were didn't arrive."

"Is there a reason you were late?" I walked closer, my boots crunching on the dry earth. "You weren't followed?"

Ellanoire shook her head as Henry, her oldest, ran to meet me. "The boys took longer than I thought. That is my fault, and I apologize."

He was just breaking out of his chubby-cheeked childhood, but he looked no different than the boy I had played with months before.

Ellanoire tensed as he hugged my legs, but when I gently returned the favor she seemed to shrink. I couldn't blame her, the story of my husband's murder would have worried any parent.

"You're looking older Henry. I was happy to hear your mother was visiting us. After all, I get to see my favorite little cousin."

The boy smiled, his cheeks pulling up lightly. "I just turned nine and my father promised to teach me sword fighting."

The boy continued telling me about his exiting present, but I stopped paying attention. The chill that ran down my spine stirred a shiver and I could see the same knowing worry in Ellanoires eyes.

"Well, I don't think you'd be needing the lessons for many more years." I patted the boy's back and stood to his mother's height. "Liu Ming," I called over her shoulder, "you can come out."

The grass rustled and Liu Ming rose from among the flowing inland sea.

"She's here to protect you if anything should happen," I assured Ellanoire. "We are going to get you somewhere safe and then, once you've settled, you can meet the council and other Spirits."

Ellanoire nodded, her eyes wide and slightly disturbed.

I offered my hand for the bag and she willingly handed over the bag, which I assumed was heavy for the slouch it brought the woman.

"Keep close, it's an hour walk and we need to move slow so Liu Ming can circle. The last thing we can allow is to be found."

"But you can keep them safe?" Ellanoire asked, adjusting Leon in her arms. "Isabella promised-"

I cut her off with a hand on her shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you or my cousins. Now come on, we've wasted too long."

I grouped the three humans in front of me, ushering them into the field. It was an uncomfortable walk, but only one side of the field was wooded and the rest was impossible to hide in.

Liu Ming stayed behind us, her dark hair flying like a flag. When the field ended, our party morphed into the woods, giving away our advantage of sight. Now it would be up to Liu Ming and our advanced senses to protect us.

I was almost lulled into a false sense of security when something changed in the woods. The birds weren't chirping like usual and I could feel something else. Liu Ming must have noticed as well because she appeared next to me, her eyes scanning the trees.

"You feel it?" I questioned, circling the mother and children, determined to protect them.

"Yes, we are not alone."

"Take them and continue, I will watch."

"I'm quieter than you. They're family, you need to protect them."

I chewed on my lip, but nodded, pushing the family forward, trying to block them from their surroundings.

"Is something wrong," Ellanoire asked, trying to keep her voice even.

Liu Ming and I had talked quietly, our voices not long enough for Ellanoire to hear, but our exchange had not gone unnoticed.

"Everything is fine," I assured, "but we need to move quickly."

That's all I needed to tell Ellanoire for her to lift her skirt and begin jogging, Leon was clutched to her and I lifted Henry into my arms, creating him one-handed.

Ellanoire's breathing was labored, coming in greater puffs every minute. My heartbeat began picking up, the usual dull thump picking up to a rhythmic pace that matched my footsteps.

In the distance, I could hear a male scream, but it was cut short.

Leon began crying and Henry's fingers clung to the top of my shirt, his head buried in my short bob.

"There is a cliff ahead of us. The entrance to our village is hidden in the ruins of an old church. I will get you in, just continue down the tunnel and you should be greeted by another Spirit. Tell them I sent you, but find Perkha."

"What are you going to do?" Ellanoire wheezed.

"I need to get you to safety, then I'm returning for Liu Ming."

I pushed aside the last bit of flora and was met with the rock cliff that extended out to the sea. The crumbling ruins of the old church being lit by the sun, glimpsing through the cloudy sky.

"Hurry, we're almost there," I encouraged her, pulling ahead to enter the crooked gateway.

I wasted no time, pressing my finger to the rough, blood-stained stone with its jagged edge. A small fleck of pain followed by the running of my finger along the base of the door.

A low hiss erupted from the hidden door, slowly cracking open so I could wedge my fingers in the crack. It was a strain, even for me, but I manage to haul the stone open.

Ellanoire and Leon slipped through and I let go of Henry, pushing him through.

"I will be back soon, stay calm."

I moved the door back in place, but I could still see Ellanoire's arched eyebrows and tight lips as she rubbed Leon's back, urging him to stop crying.

My heart ached at abandoning them in the dark tunnel by themselves, but Liu Ming needed my help. She would be outnumbered, that was obvious. Whatever happened to us, the Hunters could not find Intutum.

They had become aware of it through some means and a spy was suspected, but none could be found. It was also equally likely that one of the guests was a traitor or through one of Isabella's letters, a connection to the Spirits home was suspected. Either way, it was becoming harder and harder to use the earth passage.

I slowed as I entered the woods again, weaving in between the trees as quiet as death. I couldn't hear anything, but the scream had come from a distance.

When the sound of boots rose above my breathing, I stopped, pressing my body to a nearby tree, sinking into the brush around it.

"The damned thing is somewhere. I know it."

The voice was gruff, a deep rumble of wood on gravel. It was accompanied by at least three sets of shoes. Each mud-soaked boot passing in front of me. The individual creases becoming distinct as my blood began boiling, the tips of my fingers burning.

The dagger was in my hand, the cool metal relaxing. I had no qualms hurting those who attacked me, but I didn't like the idea of killing. Only the truly evil should be murdered.

I closed my eyes, letting my senses focus. The men were cutting their way through the foliage ahead of me, passing directly in my line of sight. I could take two of them, but with four I would be hopelessly outnumbered, even with my physical advantages.

A cool hand landed on my shoulder, but I said nothing. It was too small to be the men's and I recognized Liu Ming's shallow breathing.

"I took one of them, his friend is tending to the wound."

Her voice was low and I stilled, listening for any note of recognition from the men. When none came, I turned my head to the woman.

"Good, the others are safe. Slowly retreat."

With those words, Liu Ming disappeared back into the woods like a cat, slinking away without a sound.

I followed, careful to make no noise. The men were farther away, their bodies hidden in the green of the forest.

"We should not have let them go. They know where we were."

"I didn't want them to get close to our home."

"Your home."

"Either way, it was a simple diversion." I opened the passage. "Intutum is hidden, but if we leave bodies, doesn't that show that we are protecting something near?"

"Your paranoia is of your own making. Let the Seductors question the Hunters. If they are innocent, they have nothing to hide and we needn't worry about the church." Liu Ming was not arguing with me, but the stoic expression made it hard to know what she was thinking. Usually, I had to rely on her words and even then she thought like a warrior, not a human. Unless Yu Sheng was mention. "The only reason you act this rashly is that you know they could betray us at a moment's notice."

"Perhaps, but we need them to trust us. If not, we are no better than the Hunters, torturing Jax and the Missing for information."

"Then they will win because you are unwilling to take your enemy seriously."

I stood straighter at this, my fingers digging into my palm. I knew my eyes would be glowing, the flames dancing in my blood a good indication.

"You know that is not true."

Liu Ming scoffed, "then you should prove it. You are the leader, act like one."

I was the leader, the unofficial leader though. The council members were in charge of the show, but most would follow my suggestion or opinion. I knew more about the Hunters and acted as the leaders outside Intutum.

I stuck the dagger back in the sheath, pulling my gloves back on. Her words stung, but I knew they came from a logical place. Liu Ming and I were on opposite sides of the same army. She wanted to eliminate the Hunters, I wanted to disintegrate their system. Killing them would not protect us forever, there had to be another solution, something other than death.

"When you offer another solution, I'm open to it."

Liu Ming might have wanted to say something more, but instead, she was quiet.

We continued down the tunnel, the crystals lighting the stone path. It took us a few minutes before we entered Intutum, the wooden stairs in desperate need of repairs.

At the bottom, I could see Ellanoire and her children huddled together as Atoya and Perkha approached.