At the death of her grandfather, seventeen-year-old Alice Lansel, an orphan, is faced with a new and jarring reality-flee with her little brother and sister away from their sleazy landlord, all while staying away from the lower cities-something dark and dangerous apparently awaits them there as well. Her decision is made in accordance with her Grandfather's last, dying wish...but the Great Expanse is an unforgiving wilderness, and never has she felt so helpless and alone. Until the unexpected happens. And they're rescued by someone who takes them back to his picturesque woodland refuge to stay temporarily. It's an answer to prayer, but their surly savior seems to think otherwise-consumed as he is by the haunting memories of his past.