The sky quickly grew darker, and thorns lept at their bodies, attempting, but failing, to wrap themselves in Sable’s dark, magical coat, or in anything else they could reach. As they rode, Grace reviewed the bounty paper, trusting Sable to keep her safe and on the correct path.

“Halfway in between Shey and Lilens. Near the coast. That’s where he was last seen.” Grace looked up from the paper, glancing at the landscape ahead. The forest was soft and quiet; and although everything was tight-knit within the forest, it felt very open. There was enough space in between each tree that it felt free and exposed, but not so much that it became a field instead of a forest.

In the far distance, through the trees and brush, the coast laid, stretching far and wide, only stopped by the ocean beyond. Sable slowed, and then paused for a second, almost seeming worried. “It’s awfully quiet out here. Remember to beware of sirens.” He glanced back at Grace, who was scanning the horizon, too focused on her task to fully understand or acknowledge Sable.

“I- I will bud. Don’t be so worried, you chicken.” Grace looked back at him, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Sable sighed, almost with a slight haughtiness to it.

“You know it’s my job to look out for you.” the black stallion leaned down, exploring the grass beneath his hooves while Grace resumed her work.

“I know. But I don’t need you to.” Grace replied once again while examining the bounty poster for a third time. Sable began to graze while Grace thought out loud. “Okay. So… it’s been long enough this guy is likely dead. Unless he found the secret to eternal life, or got his hands on magic somehow.”

“Which we both know is impossible,” Sable interrupted, his mouth full of grass. “Only supernaturals can wield magic. As far as the paper says, he’s human, and always has been.”

“True,” Grace replied, looking at the portrait of the young man on the poster. “Unless he had someone to help him.”

“Doubtful. But possible.” Sable continued grazing, not bothering to look up at her for his response. “Even if he did, they’re likely dead now too.”

“Either way, it’s our job to find him.” Grace paused, once again thinking out loud. “If I were him... I would’ve tried to find a place to lay low. A cave perhaps. Or he could’ve gotten into a wagon or onto a horse, and escaped to another piece of the continent. He also could’ve used a rowboat to get onto a getaway ship, although that seems awfully risky for a human to do with Sirens so close. He definitely would’ve needed help for that, too. Ships require multiple people to man them generally. Unless he stowed away.”

Sable raised his head again, turning to look at Grace. “Grace, look, doesn’t some of that sound far-fetched? I doubt he would’ve gone too far. Someone would’ve seen him. Even if he did stowaway, where would he have wound up? Most ships either head for one of the ocean ports, or they stay out at sea for months at a time. He wouldn’t have been able to escape very well; if he stayed on the ship he likely would’ve been found. Rations, especially extra rations, don’t just disappear on their own and he would’ve needed something to eat. Or if they had stopped at an ocean port to unload, he could’ve easily been found then too, with nowhere to go. The odds of him getting on a ship… not very high. And even if he made it onto a ship, the odds of him surviving without being captured… also not very high.”

“That’s true,” Grace replied, still scanning the surrounding landscape. “Although it is still possible.” She sighed, feeling Sable’s irritated gaze meet her body. A brief hesitation followed before Grace spoke up again to break the tension. “I don’t think he got onto a ship either. But we have to check every possible lead, and every opportunity he would’ve or could’ve had. A ship would’ve likely been a last resort. So we’ll search everywhere else first. I believe there’s a small cave along the shoreline somewhere here. He could’ve gone there.” Sable’s body tensed. “Grace…What did I just say about sirens?” Grace looked up from the poster so their eyes met. “Sable, I’m a vampire. I’ve been here hundreds of times before. Besides, what’s the worst a siren could do to another supernatural? We don’t even know if their call would work on either of us; I’m female, and you’re a horse made of magic.”

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Sable paused, thinking. “That’s true. Although it’s not wise to take risks regardless. You’re immortal, not immune, Grace. And if you die, so do I. Your chances of survival are much higher than an ordinary human, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t die at all. Your mother…” the stallion paused, stopping himself, and allowing his sentence to trail off. Grace tensed slightly in response to his words, and shifted her gaze back to the forest. “..Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring her up.” Grace sighed. “I forgive you. C’mon, we have work to do.” She gently kicked her heels into his side, signaling him to move forward; and he did so without fuss.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Sable said gently, attempting to change the subject. “Very… peaceful. Very quiet.” Grace looked down at him, her gaze soft, but pain-filled. “As if we know much about that.” She replied with a small, sad chuckle. “..Let’s just go find that cave.” Grace’s tone dampened further, and she grew quiet. “As you wish. Again, I’m sorry, Grace.” She nodded, not uttering a single word in response to the stallion. Sable’s eyes met hers for a brief second, just to shift back to the trail ahead of them as he slowly began to walk forward. He quickly froze however, his ears alert and attentive, and his eyes scanning the forest floor. “What’s wron-” Grace stopped herself, quickly realizing something wasn’t right.

All at once, through the silence, a faint, muted melody traveled through the trees to their ears, illuminating the forest with sound. The melody sounded incomplete; empty, almost. Every note was in the correct place, it fit together, and for that matter, it soared together. But the performer… her voice was somber and hushed. The music itself was beautiful, every sequence was performed perfectly. However, the singer’s heartache also echoed loud and clear throughout the song.

“This doesn’t feel right.” Sable quietly murmured. “Something isn’t right with this.” “What are we supposed to do then, abandon this case that is already long overdue and walk off?” Grace hissed back at Sable. “Grace, this is obviously a siren singing… no human can sing like that. We can’t take risks here. This could be dangerous!”

“I’m well aware of that but we have a job to do here! Nobody else is going to do this! Would you prefer a regular human do this and get themselves killed?!” Her voice stayed at a hissing whisper as she spoke, never rising to be too loud. “Look, we have a job to do. I’m going to go get it done, with or without you.”

Before Sable could argue further with her, Grace was gone, flying up into the night sky in her tiny, navy blue bat form. Sable snorted and pawed at the ground, kicking up a small amount of dust and dirt. “She’s going to get herself killed… why does she have to be so stubborn…” He took off, sprinting after her at full speed, following her through the forest and onto the coastal beach.

The voice was still there, ringing out as clear as a bell; each note near perfect. The melody remained the same, with the repeated, yet familiar, haunting sound echoing through the night. It gripped Grace in a tight grasp, refusing to let her go. It pulled her in, like a whirlpool, drawing her closer and closer, with the pull steadily growing stronger.

She was still conscious, more curious than entranced. “Hello?” Grace quietly called out, barely above a whisper, not wanting to interrupt the song.

To her surprise, a voice replied as the singing stopped. “Y-You were able to hear me?? You can hear me?! Please, you’ve got to help me!” A misty figure raced out from within the mist, charging straight for Grace… and then going directly through her, vanishing into the mist once again.

Grace stood in shock, unsure of what to think or what to say. “Y-You can hear me, can’t you?” The same voice as before spoke again, this time softer, in a disappointed whisper. No figure followed this time.

“Y-Yes, I can hear you.” Grace finally managed to jumble together a sentence, still in shock. “Who are you? You’re not a normal siren…” “You can really hear me?” The voice replied, excited. “Yes, I can. Now, who are you?”

Grace prepared to use her powers, moving her hand to the summoning position. The shock had begun to wear off, and it was replaced by a defensive, protective anger.

“M-my name is Amalia. Please, I need your help. You’re the only person I’ve found who can hear me. Nobody else can… and I can’t do this by myself.”

“...Show yourself. Come out from the fog.” Grace replied, still not trusting the situation or mysterious voice completely. A faint face and figure slowly appeared from the fog, until Amalia was in front of Grace. “Y-You’re.. You’re…” Grace began to stammer, once again in shock.

“...I’m dead. I’m a ghost. I know.” Amalia smiled sadly. “I’ve been dead for quite a while now. That’s why I need your help.”