Kyda has found a balance in her life. She has a job, her brother is a defender for Aksalla, and her asylum paperwork is in order. When a tweaked-out client comes into the coffee shop where she works, the slightest sound-produced rage in the overpowered active and Kyda ends up with life-threatening injuries and begging whatever deities there are that her blood remains in her body. Her blood kills.

Ados hears that his picnic date has suffered an injury, and their date is postponed. His work partner is notified that his sister has suffered a traumatic injury, and he needs to go to her side as she refuses to let the medics help.

Her repair gets back on track, and she is content to let the lab take care of her until agents of her previous government come looking for her and attempt to blow up the lab in the process.

Kynor talks to Ados about his sister, and Ados mentions his escort. They realize they are talking about the same woman, and she needs to be safe. Ados moves her to the safest place he knows. His grandmother’s prison. Everything gets interesting from there.