```python
from typing import List

def tide_marks(levels: List[int]) -> List[int]:
    """
    Given a list of integer water levels read in order, return the positions of every local peak:
    a position whose level is strictly greater than the level immediately before it and the level immediately after it.
    The first and last positions are never peaks. Return the positions in increasing order, and an empty list when there are none.
    """
    if not levels:
        return []
    
    peaks = []
    for i in range(1, len(levels) - 1):
        if levels[i] > levels[i - 1] and levels[i] > levels[i + 1]:
            peaks.append(i)
    
    return peaks
```