“I didn’t even know it was possible for sirens to die… so little is known about your species…” Grace stood perfectly still, the shock continuing to set in. “What...What happened?”

Amalia remained there, floating in the air, her long, elegant tail slowly drifting along behind her, and her long hair resting on her shoulders. “I… I died of heartbreak.” Amalia said quietly. “I’m so sorr-”

Amalia cut Grace off. “I was in love with a young man. A sailor. He said he’d come back for me. That he’d visit me. A-and, one day… he stopped showing up. That is why I need y-your help… I want to find him.” Misty, ghostly tears welled up in the siren’s eyes, the tears faint, yet present as they rolled down her hollow cheeks.

Before Grace could reply, Sable raced up behind the two of them. “Grace!” Sable shouted, “Don’t run off like that youn-” The stallion froze the moment he saw Amalia. “S-Siren! Grace! We need to-”

“No, you don’t. I’m not a threat.” Amalia stopped Sable from finishing his sentence while she wiped the remaining misty, transparent tears from her cheeks. Sable recomposed himself and snorted, untrusting. “Grace, a word?” Sable backed up a bit to talk alone with Grace, his ears pinned against his neck. “Sable... I’m okay. Alright? She’s not a threat.” Grace’s eyes locked with Sable’s, holding a gentle yet tight and stubborn grasp.

“Grace…she’s a siren.” “And you’re a magical horse created by a vampire. Your point?” Grace responded, irritated. “She wants our help. And what harm can she do? She’s dead. Again, I’m a vampire, and you’re a magical horse. It’s not like she can kill us.” “I still say she’s dangerous.” Sable snorted. “And so are we. End of discussion.” “But-” Grace walked back to Amalia, ignoring Sable’s protests.

“S-so you’ll help me?” Grace looked back at Sable, her eyes meeting his with an icy cold glare. “I’ll try. No promises. Although we have people we’re looking for too. And a job we need to do.” Truth be told, Grace didn’t fully trust this Amalia either; but she knew this siren needed help, and her stubborn temperament refused to allow her to listen to Sable.

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“A job? What do you do?” Amalia asked, curious. “I’m a bounty hunter. …An anonymous bounty hunter.” Amalia pondered Grace’s words for a moment. “Why anonymous? Why not tell the world who you are?” Grace stayed silent, ignoring the question. “And… you never told me your name…”

Grace hesitated. “...Grace. My name is Grace.” She finally responded to the question. “Now please… no more questions.” Grace turned away and began to mount Sable, who stood patiently as she clambered onto his back.

Amalia remained still for a moment, processing and thinking, while Grace prepared to move on and continue her search for her target. “Are you coming or not?” Grace huffed impatiently. Sable eyed Amalia with suspicion as Amalia followed them, marching through the darkness. And just like that, the search continued for Mr. Kabble.

Amalia went first, as she was the fastest and most agile. Her long tail followed behind her, gracefully moving as if she were underwater. It was as if she was able to swim in midair, thanks to her ghostly frame. With gravity having lost its hold on her body long ago, it allowed her to move freely, unrestrained, with almost no limitations. The sky had partially cleared, and the scales in her tail gleamed, the light gently reflecting off of them. Most of the moonlight that made it through the clouds went through her misty, transparent tail, shining instead on the ground, although some gently reflected off her scales.

Soon they began to approach the cave. For the longest time, the only sound was the echo of the ocean waves in the caverns.

“To be clear,” Grace broke the silence with her voice as they began to explore the interior of the caverns, looking for remains. “I don’t trust you. Don’t think we’re ‘friends’. And if you dare to backstab me, you will regret it.” Amalia stayed silent, once again thinking, as Grace began to shuffle through her saddlebag. “...You were hurt by someone too, weren’t you?” Amalia gently asked. “Why does that matter to you? I said no more questions and it’s none of your business anyways!” Grace snapped back. Stable, sensing the tension, stepped in between the two women, his back turned to Grace in a defensive manner. Sable snorted at Amalia, shuffling his hooves through the layer of dust that blanketed the floor of the cave as a warning.

Amalia quickly backed up, her hands raised to show herself as trustworthy. “Easy, easy…” she gently assured Sable. “I’m not an ordinary horse, you don’t need to treat me like one,” Sable replied sternly, locking his eyes with Amalia’s. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend…” Amalia’s eyes softened, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. Grace let out a sharp sigh from across the cavern, irritated. “Just drop it you two. It’s over now.” Sable turned his head to look at her, and he began to walk over to her, pausing suddenly. “Grace… look. Bones.”