I landed deep in the forest, giving me time to glamour my wings and ears before walking into the first village I approached.

The snow-covered cobblestone road was mostly empty in the early morning hours, but I kept my gaze forward as I continued.

My siphon thrummed as my rising temper made my power rise with it. Their gazes pressed in on me as they scrutinized me. I did a quick check over my ears, feeling the roundness of them and glanced behind me to make sure no wings peaked over them.

"Who are you?"

The suddenness of a voice startles me into my fighting stance with my hand on the dagger strapped to my thigh.

"Whoa! Easy!" The blond-haired woman held her hands up passively, staring like she was trying to identify what variety of wild beast crossed her path.

Compared to her, I may as well be an animal. Letting a slow breath out, I straightened, doing another subtle check again before addressing her "I'm sorry. Force of habit."

She perked an eyebrow at me "Where did you come from?"

A small wave of panic rose in my chest; if I said the wrong thing, my cover would be blown. The image of Prythian and the mortal lands flashed in my mind "The Continent."

Her eyebrows raised this time "You're from the Continent? What possessed you to come here when that place is paradise?"

I shrug, my face and voice void of emotion "Just looking for somewhere quiet."

My answer seems to appease her, and she smiles "Well then, this place is as good as any. Nothing interesting ever happens here." she holds out a pale dainty hand to me "Name's Nava."

I take her hand and she shakes it gently "Selsina."

Nava chuckles "Your parents must have loved you to give you a unique name like that." she turns my hand over to run a thumb over my warn calluses "Your face is so delicate, yet your hands tell a different story."

I pull my hand back and it forms a fist at my side. "Is there somewhere I can get a hot meal?"

She nods, not deterred at the topic change. Nava leads me into a small tavern and it's only after we sit at a table in the corner, that I realize I don't have any money.

I lean my head against the wall behind me, grimacing in frustration and hunger.

"You okay?" she asks.

"I used the last of my money on my journey here." The lies were getting easier, as a child, I was a terrible liar.

Nava waves a hand at me "Don't worry, consider this a welcome gift to the most boring place ever."

A smile lifts the corners of my mouth. "Thanks, I will pay you back when I can."

"How about this," she pauses as she gives our drink and food order to the bartender that approached our table before continuing. "You seem like the warrior type, is it safe to assume that?"

I nodded, knowing there was no point denying it with the blades on my leg, hip and the sword strapped down my back.

"A group of thieves plundered my home just days ago and I lost my husband when he defended us."

I sit up in my seat, my wings vibrating under the glamour. "I am sorry for the loss of your husband."

She sniffles softly as tears roll down her cheeks "Will you get justice for my husband?"

"I swear."

After our meal she leads me to her home, the door lays crookedly on its busted hinges. Paintings and furniture lay in ruins around the small house. I take a slow deep breath, taking in three different scents. "How many were there?"

"Three." she says, confirming it.

"Do you have any other family you can stay with?"

Nava picks up a shattered frame and shakes her head "Tyrus was the only family I had left."

Another scent filled my nose, only it didn't smell rotten like the thieves' scent did. It was soft and sweet. I nudge a door open with the tip of my boot to find the master bedroom, a makeshift crib standing by the foot of the bed. "Are you expecting?" I run my finger gently over the smooth edge of the crib

"I am." she answered, her voice was filled with emotion. "Ty was so excited, used to go on about how he believed it would be a boy."

My power rose within me, and it threatened to shatter my glamour. "I will be back by sunrise, stay inside until I return." I say sharply before leaving her.

Tracking the scent was a challenge since days had passed, but I willed my power to enhance my senses more until I could almost visualize the scent trails.

The trail led me away from the village, deep into the forest. Even with the sun set, I could see clearly on the moonless night.

I came over the ridge, spying a cave with a fire burning brightly inside. The men's scents flew on the breeze to me and I drew my sword. Letting go of the restraints on my glamour I let them see my wings as I approached the cave.

"What the?"

"Who are you?"

"Are those wings?"

I gave them a second to jump to their feet before I started to sing, this time my song wasn't ethereal but filled with venom. The notes were carried to them and I watched as blood dripped from their ears from the sound. I lunged forward, and slit each of their throats slowly, relishing the warm blood that coated my hands.

Bags and chests of coins were hidden in the back of the cave. I gathered a few bags and carried them to Nova's doorstep, leaving a note attached to one of the bags; 'I know this will not bring your husband back, but hopefully this will give comfort for you and your child. Thank you for the meal. -Sel'

I returned to the thieves' cave and took as much money as I could carry and traveled to the next village.