True to his word, it didn't take long to find the entrance. It must have been a few miles from the port, but there was no sign of human life around the cliff.

"There's a reef that circles this area," Jax called over his shoulder. "No one can get here if they're human."

It was the first words he had said since we departed and it took me by surprise. When I thought about his words, it made sense.

"So no humans have ever been to Intutum?"

"Humans used to be allowed into Intutum, but that ended generations ago," Jax informed me bitterly. "Only Spirits who have been to Intutum know how to find it. Any human who knew has died off. Follow me and try to stay as close as possible. The tunnels branch off and strong currents pull through them. If you aren't careful, I'll lose you in the darkness." Jax offered me his hand which I let hang limp. He only shrugged and continued, pulling next to me.

There was enough room for three of four people to swim comfortably, but I could feel the pull Jax mentioned. My hair and skirt pulled to openings in the rock that I had to push through. If any human was able to make it to the entrance, they wouldn't survive the current.

"Where is the light coming from?" I asked, noting the fuzzy outline of Jax next to me. He was barely visible but his eyes shone like lanterns in darkness.

"I assume The Ocean," he shrugged, pulling to the left and leaving me to scramble to catch up. "No one questions anything."

"That doesn't seem a wise way to live."

"When you see Intutum, you'll understand why no one questions." Jax rolled so he was able to look from me to the cave ahead. There was a trace of humor in his eyes. "If you tried to explain everything in our world, you'd get lost at the very beginning."

I couldn't think of a response. He wasn't wrong. Only a day ago I had died, yet I was swimming through earthy caves created by a deity.

The cavern began to slope upward, my hands moving along the smooth walls. Jax blocked the path and looked around. He pointed down the tunnel to our left and I followed his finger. The walls seemed to glow, crystals embedded every few inches. It was stunning.

Jax's eyes flashed as he started down the tunnel, the gentle curves bringing us into a vast lagoon. A large island erupted into existence a kilometer away. The lush, green standing out against the small village tucked in a forest.

Along the farthest wall, wooden steps lifted to a door at the top of the cavern where water poured from, thundering into the lagoon below.

"How can any of this exist?" I gapped, looking around. It was light in the cavern, the ceiling of rock and uncut gems lighting the space with one dazzling beam radiating from directly over the island like a second sun. "We are underground, none of this should be possible."

Jax began moving closer to the island without responding and leaving me to follow in his wake. A shadow flew over us and I found myself staring at the winged woman as she landed in a cave along the walls. A man stood beside her, his features strikingly similar to the woman.

Their wings were built for both the sea and air, dark and silky, dragging behind them as they stared down at us. The dark skin of their backs blended into the long attachments where features broke out in a glossy pattern that seemed to shift the longer I looked at them.

It was the first time I had seen a Spirit who looked strickenly un-human. They were fascinating.

The woman's lips pointed in a beak-like fashion. She studied us, before waving, a kind grin breaking out. It looked natural despite the sharp teeth and bird-like features.

I waved back, stunned. My mind was still trying to comprehend everything around me. My heart was ready to beat out of my chest and a large portion of air was threatening to spill out in a joyful exclamation.

"That was Faraji and Anaula. Faraji is a council member with his sister, one of the few Flyers."

"You have a council?" I turned my attention from the circling figures to the docks Atoya was resting on. His tail was molting as I watched, scales falling off, leaving pink skin behind.

"We are a city, after all, we need some form of leadership." He looked relaxed as he pulled himself onto a dock that jutted out into the lagoon. "If you are uncomfortable, look away while I change my shirt."

I spun quickly, my cheeks heating. I could hear Jax ruffling around in a bin and the plop of wet fabric on the wood while I waited for him to give me the all-clear to turn once more.

"It was Atoya's suggestion many years ago that we leave a crate of clothes on the docks in case anyone should need them. I don't think I've known anyone to regret it, especially the shifters." Jax continued to speak as I studied the walls of the cavern.

They were riddled with caves, stalactites hanging from their ceilings. Coupled with the uncut crystals, it looked like another world entirely.

"I am clothed now." Jax offered his hand, but I refused, already pulling myself up the short gap. "If you want, there is a warm dress you can change into. In my honor, I won't turn around."

There was nowhere private to change, only the exposed wooden platform.

"I'll decline. Will there be somewhere for me to change later?"

"Of course," Jax grinned, beginning the walk to the village. "If you do not wish to meet the council, I won't make you, but I would suggest introducing yourself to my mentor."

"We have a group of Spirits, older than most, who try to represent the different groups of Spirits. Siren, as you could probably guess, represents Seductors: my mentor. No gift is exactly alike, but we do our best."

"Who is my council member?" I asked, perking up slightly. "Could they help me control my gift?"

Jax shifted, an uncomfortable look growing on his features. "Perkha's has a very different adaptation, but she would be willing to help you if you let her."

"I would like that very much."

We crossed the divide of water to land, my feet sinking into the soft earth. The grass on the island was impossibly soft, perfect at every touch. There was no breeze, but the air was the perfect temperature, somewhere between the moment after waking up and the first autumn day.

The village itself was a remarkable feat of architecture. The buildings were only three stories high, but each was carved with intricate detail. Scenes from the ocean seemed to dance with color and clay. The shapes seemed to move with us, dolphins dancing along the wall and waves rolling along the base of each building.

The buildings were grouped in a circle, each home facing the center. They seemed to box in like a final attempt at security.

The stone path was carved between each house, its destination constantly changing as it wove through the three circles of buildings. In the center of the houses, a small plaza rested with a large amphitheater cut into the earth. In the middle, another circle surrounded a wooden table.

Two men lounged at the table, their clothing startlingly different to any I had seen. They had tight, form-fitting pieces that ended past their shoulders and above their ankles. I had never seen such revealing garments before.

The oldest one, a man who could have been my father's age if he were human, turned as we approached. His face was strikingly handsome, fine features that were too strong to be human.

"Jax?" The man turned, head spinning as he caught sight of us. I had the strangest feeling that they couldn't see me, but were focused solely on the man next to me.

"Siren, I'm pleased to be back," Jax greeted.

Jax stood straight, arms fastened behind his back. The men stared at each other, eyebrows furrowed. I could see Jax's hands twitch every few seconds, his left thumb tapping rhythmically against his palm.

"The girl, did you succeed? What happened?" Siren's voice was calm, but I had the urge to give him my life story, each word pulling at my tongue. "Is this here?"

"The girl drowned," Jax sighed, his shoulders sagging. "The boat we were on sank."

"And who is this?" Siren stood slowly. His frame is short but commanding.

Siren stalked closer, every word pounding into me. His presence pulled me forward and I found myself leaning forward to hear every word he spoke. I knew the stories of him dragging sailors into the ocean to kill them, but it didn't seem relevant at that moment.

"I'm sorry his daughter died," Jax spoke. He seemed determined to keep Siren's attention off me and on him. "This is Maurea, a new Spirit."

"It's quite alright," the other man stood. Unlike Siren who had fair skin and hair, this man had a thick beard and dark hair that matched his skin beautifully. There was no pull like Siren, but he radiated an open aura. "It was a desperate attempt and we should be happy you're back safe and have brought another Spirit into our home."

His head turned to me and I was hit with a wave of what felt like hot air. His eyes seemed to soften as he looked down on me.

"Miss Maurea is a new Spirit and needs to be introduced." Atoya finally met Siren's gaze and the shorter man relaxed.

"It is nice to meet you." Siren turned his attention to the awaiting argument and offered me his hand. I took it, giving it a small shake before blinking. He was really hard to ignore and I was slowly losing my sense of control.

"Yes, sir. My name is Maurea." The words spilled from me, anything his question could have possibly asked, running away from my mind.

I bit my lip, the iron taste of blood seeping out of it, but at least I had stopped talking. Siren was a powerful Spirits, a powerful Seductor.

"Siren, the girl seems to be caught." Atoya rested his hand on Siren's shoulder and the buzz I was getting from the Seductor shrunk significantly. "Is that better, dear?"

I nodded and Siren looked to Atoya.

His golden eyes faded to a dull amber. "I'm sorry, I let my gift get ahead of me. Jax, could you help her settle in before reporting everything that happened while you were away?"

The man behind him moved forward, hesitating before leading me away. His footsteps were quick, forcing me to leave.