The Fade is... [She runs a hand through her short dark hair, messing it up.] It's hard to explain. It's a realm beyond our physical one. All souls were born in the Fade and return after we pass. But mages can enter the Fade willingly and consciously. And it's our connection with the Fade that allows us to do magic.

[A shrug.] It's more complicated than that but I'm no scholar.

Anyway, not being hunted? At least for now? I'll take it.