Young adult dystopian fantasy. The people of Trifecta are afraid she'll develop an uncontrollable power because of her mix of human and Witch blood, while born on Fae land. As a baby, her power was sealed with a special tattoo on the back of her neck, the Trimark. When Ember shows signs of power, it isn't Fae or Witch, but lets her manipulate the barrier that traps the town. She can open a temporary door, and does to throw a bully, Brandt, out when he attacks her. A Fae sees her and she goes to a Witch acquaintance, Devi, for help, where she learns more about her tattoo. Ember tries to avoid the Fae while a human boy, Aaron, wants her help finding his friend who she threw out and refuses to leave her alone. She visits the orphaned mix-race kids and their leader Chase, hoping for a safe place to rest. Chase tells Aaron that Brandt attacked Ember and Aaron begins to shift loyalties. When Ember shows signs of a new power, he tries to protect her, even when Nicu also sees her power. Nicu helps Ember, then leaves in hope he can find a solution other than taking Ember to the Fae. A Wizard uses Brandt's blood on the bowie knife to let them both back in and gives the boy the knife because he can use to track Ember down. Brandt finds her and tries to threaten her into breaking the barrier, but that is not how her magic works. He decides to kill her, but the barrier magic swallows her and protects her from the knife. The Fae she tried to escape and Aaron, Devi and Chase help to capture Brandt and rescue Ember. The Wizard frees Brandt from where the Witches hold him, then kills him and uses his life to fast grow an acorn into a young Sequoia.