It was hours later when I returned, the sun had disappeared completely in the sky, leaving only the moon and stars to light my way.

I pulled my body onto the shore, sand hanging in my hair. My hair was thick with tangles and salt, the only state it seemed to be in anymore.

The cliffs were dark and cold, but I didn't mind the feeling. It reminded me that I was not too far removed from humans and what they could feel. Especially after a long swim, I felt the need to sit in the quiet and reflect.

The church was just as we left it that morning, still and desolate. I had worried that the Hunters would find it, but not a stone was moved.

It was a quick return home and I settled into my apartment, gathering my quill notebook. I had taken to recording with great detail matters related to Hunters for my benefit as well as the other Spirits.

In the last few months, I had managed to fill half a journal with names and events that I could remember. Nothing had led me to a possible prison.
 
I stood from the desk, a shabby piece of furniture that I had scraped together for the sole purpose of writing, and glanced out the window. I would have been in the early hours of the morning, only four hourglasses turned out of the twelve that circled the inside pavilion. Too early for Ellanoire to be awake, or any human for that matter.

Perhaps not too early to meet with Spirits.

I poured the bucket of water into a rag, running it through my hair and along my skin. The water from the falls was fresh enough, if not particularly satisfying. The thick layers of salt whipped away with each brush and I grabbed my cloak before leaving my apartment, the door swinging closed behind me.

I pulled the hood up and made my way to the library, pushing open the doors and weaving up to the top spiral where a flat room splayed out in front of me. The walls were thick and the door made such a fuss that no Spirit worried about being overheard.

A thick rug decorated the floor with chairs circling the room. There were enough stools, loveseats, and couches for every Spirit and it had become a new meeting place. Even now, the windows were open, letting the ever-present dust filter out.

Faraji and Anaula lounged on the couches, their features as close to a bird as humanly possible. Even then, human wasn't the right word. Another Spirit with long, braided hair sat across from them. I took a seat next to Anaula as a man, a boy really, climbed through the window.

"I heard you bought another one in last night?" Faraji asked, his eyes peering over a book, the earthy cover clutched tightly in his hands.

"We did, yes. Ellanoire, the wife of a high lord. She thinks she might know where the missing is." I leaned forward and Anaula copied my motion, pulling her brother with her. "I want to lead a party to scope the build. It's in the mountains, so I want you, Anaula, to be our eyes in the trees and sky.

"No," Faraji interjected. "She will not be going."

My fingers dug into the couch as I stiffened. "I still want to extend the invitation to Anaula." I turned my attention to the women. "Your wings are healthy. You could scout the area where the cabin would be, tell us whether or not there's anything up there. You never have to go near it."

Faraji looked at his sister, his lips turned down. The feathers at the edges of his wings fluttered, flying up, then down as he grew more agitated.

"You could get hurt," Faraji urged. "Please, just stay in Intutum where it's safe."

Anaula's wings were still, the ebony feathers a striking contrast to her brothers. Faraji's wings had healed, but the bare patches of skin still shone through the longer coverings. He could fly, but his speed and agility were crippled, most likely forever. I could understand his want to protect his sister.

"It's a quick look." Anaula brushed him off. "Besides, I won't land, just observe. When do we leave?"

"As soon as I can get a general location for Ellanoire. Do we have any maps of the upper mountains?"

"Faraji has some from his old pupils' lessons. The mountains can be hard to navigate, shall we retreat to them?" Anaula stood, extending her hand to help the both of us up. Faraji didn't say much, but his wings dragged on the floor as we made our way to the window.

"I don't want you to do this. If I can't stop you, I will help you."

The two Flyers pushed themselves through the open window, hovering outside with deep, powerful movements of their wings.

"I'll bring you up," Anaula offered, extending her hand. "Take hold."

I did as she said and was pulled through the window. I had lived here long enough, but I had never flown before. It was like swimming, but a much heavier experience. Every flap of Anaula's wings jerked my shoulders and I was left swinging helplessly.

The caves along the walls were usually inaccessible, the high stone walls impossible to climb, but they offered an awe-inspiring view.

The blue lagoon holding a large island, the field brushing up against the forest where the village was nestled. The figures looked smaller, weaving in the grass lanes between buildings. Out in the gardens, figures I hadn't a hope of recognizing them without the eyesight of a Spirit.

I felt like a god looking down on a world, separate but longing.

"Which mountain?" Anaula asked, her voice ringing from farther back in the cave.

I turned my attention from the vast opening and made my way deeper into the makeshift home. It was a massive passage, walls standing twice my height and three arm lengths. Feathers littered the smooth floor, gathering in downy piles at the stone edges where the ever-present crystals lit the way.

"I haven't a clue, but neither does Ellanoire. The map could help her with the area."

My reply cut off at the end as I found the siblings in their home. The walls were higher than the passage, easily giving them room to fly. Hammocks were strung near the ceiling where pieces of fabric draped down, covering the walls with every color imaginable. The floor was full of books, parchment, and every manner of text imaginable.

"Then we'll find everyone. It'll have to be on one," Faraji mussed, running his hand over the close-cut, frizzy hair on his head. "Check the pile to your right."

Anaula did as he said, her wings pushing loose papers aside as she moved.

I set to work as well, filing through the documents. Too many were cities, large red marks telling readers were flying was too dangerous. Even then, they were coastal regions.

"You're searching in the wrong area, Maurea. Try the section near Anaula."

"Yes, over here," Anaula called over her shoulder. "I think I've found some of these."

"How can you possibly find anything in this mess?" I asked, climbing over a stack of books. "It's atrocious"

"Well we usually don't spend time on the ground, or at least we wouldn't if we had the choice." Anaula smiled, lifting a large, aged map. "This should work, am I right?"

I took the paper, careful to man it lightly. It seemed ancient, but it did have a view of the mountains, small lines showing trails and rivers. Each snakes down the yellow paper like drops of rain.

"It should work. Now that we have left to do is speak with Ellaniore and collect the others." I rolled the map up, handing it to Faraji. "We could leave by sundown at the latest."

I turned my attention to Anaula. "Give me a ride back to the plaza."

"I'll carry her down," Faraji offered from behind me.

Anaula's beak-like lips tensed, her eagle eyes darting between me and her brother. I could sense the worry in her face but something more.  A guardian.

"You're still weak, your wings can't handle any more stress. I'll take her."

"I am not so weak," Faraji snapped back. His jaw was set, dark brown eyes flashing as he stared down at his sister.

I avoided looking at them, unsure how to interfere and knowing it wasn't my place. As the only siblings in Intutum, fights happen often and the Spirits stay separate.

"You want to protect me, yet I cannot protect you," Anaula's voice had dropped, the faint screech of a hawk evident in the last few words. "We agreed, brother. You would rest and let yourself recover."

"I have recovered," his tone matched Anaula's, but the obvious masculine tone was the only difference.

They stood stone still. Nothing changed, but the tension only grew with every passing second.

"The walls are not so high, Anaula. I can jump, the water will protect me." I reached forward, taking her arm. Her dark skin burned through the metal and I could feel her muscles tense then loosen. "Please, just meet us at the plaza."

"Fine," she pulled her arm out of my grip. Her eyes softened slightly, but she still whipped around, her wings flying open and nearly avoiding me. "Don't do anything reckless."

With her last words, she shot forward, a wind assaulting my face as she disappeared into the open world beyond.

"She's just irritable lately. Though I know I'm guilty of it as well." He gestured to the cave opening. "Please, sit with me for a moment."

I did as he said, my legs hanging over the edge. My stomach dropped at the feeling of weightlessness.

Faraji sat next to me, his wings shielding half his features as they sloped behind us. "I might know where the building is. The higher peaks, just past Ordes. That's where we were when we were attacked."

I licked my lips, my neck ticking to the side. My hands shook.

"You never told us this," I hissed, trying to keep the ringing in my ears down. "Why? All this time we've been searching for a way to find it and you knew all along?"

"You cannot tell my sister. You must promise me, let her believe you found out some other way." He took my hands, cupping them, head bent. "She would never forgive me."

"I won't, but you must be truthful now. Why did you not say anything?"

I didn't make a move, and Faraji released me, looking back out to the island. "I didn't want you looking for it. What I saw. It cannot happen again."

"What happened? Is this why you've been tense at the mention of Hunters? I assumed it was due to your experience."

Faraji just continued to look out, eyes tracing the island.

"Faraji, why didn't you say anything?"

He sighed one long, deep sound that seemed to shake his whole body. "They had chains, they pulled us from the sky. No human weapon could reach that height. No matter the struggle, they pulled us to the earth. When I say Anaula is in danger, even the sky is not safe."

"That's why you don't want her to go."

He nodded, "They slaughtered some, caged others. I barely escaped." Faraji stopped voice wavering. "I had to watch. My four pupils, friends. That cannot happen to Anaula."

To see the giant of a man bend at the memory was something that brought the situation to light. I had been so sure, if we found the building, we would find the missing. I hadn't harbored the notion that some, if not many, would die to free the Missing.

"Even if you find it, nothing will change. We can't get them out anymore than we could get in safely."

"I'm sure that isn't true," I reassured. "We could use Liu Ming, wait till Jax returns. Find a way to get in without a fight."

"When will you listen," Faraji flung his head back, his eyes clenched. "There is no way to rescue them safely. Their weapons, they're far too advanced."

"The Hunters have never seen us when we chose to fight back, united. Jax is coming, he should be here in the next week. Liu Ming, Isabella, the Hunter refugees. They can help."

"You haven't seen what their weapons can do." Faraji dug his fingers into the rock underneath us, the stone reduced to ash.

"You know I do," I whispered, pulling the ring from my shirt, the cotton thread frayed.

"I've seen what their weapons can do," I unsheathed my Fathers dagger, holding it to my arm. "I've felt the bite of their blades first hand."

"Then you should be careful. If you want to endanger yourself, I cannot stop you." He made eye contact with me and I nodded. He seemed to relax, but the pain was still in his eyes. "But my sister, please. I can't lose her."

"I won't risk her in any way. What she chooses to do is her decision. I cannot control her." I stuck my hand out. "I can do what I can, but you need to tell me if you think of anything more to say."

"I will." He shook himself, standing and pulling me to my feet. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I'll follow you down. The plaza should be full now," I stepped aside to allow Faraji to move out to the opening. "Tell Anaula I'll be there soon."

"I will," Faraji, faltered, looking down as he hovered in front of the cavern opening. "Perhaps, I'll tell her to expect you later. Take your time with the new questions."

He smiled and dove, skimming over the water's surface as boiled and pulsed. Something was happening and I intended to find out what he meant.

I took a deep breath and stepped off the ridge, letting my body plummet to the hundred feet to the water below.