A vrisha arrives in Grace's underwater city.

He takes over one of the substations, forcing the workers out. At the whim of her job, Grace is unwillingly chosen to go below, maintain the station, and stay with the horned, devilish alien.

That is how she comes to encounter Xora. An alien born from a race of dominant fighters and fierce hunters. He is as terrifying as he is mysterious. While also commanding, stubborn, unrelenting . . . and oddly mesmerizing. As her fear slips away, other emotions begin to take hold. And Grace finds she wants to know more.

Xora just wants to get off the cold, watery world as quickly as possible. Yet, despite his indifference to humans, he finds his attention captured by Grace. Against his own nature, he allows her near him. He's just too . . . curious.

For Grace, working with Xora could be dangerous. But when he desires her help on a secret mission, Grace can't refuse. Even if it could mean putting her job and life (and heart) at risk.

For Xora, Grace's help could be his best chance at getting home. Assuming he can keep his growing feelings for the bold woman from making him lose sight of why he's on Oceanus in the first place.

Contains mature themes.