It was impossible to forget those hands had another lifea past lifewhen they were vicious and untamed. Those hands were capable of devastation. Once, they were merciless. Once, they were red with blood. Once, they had killed. Over a year has passed since Lex Knightley journeyed alone into desolate San Francisco. The Guardian Force is disbanded, emotion-altering drugs banned, and citizens allowed to return to the seemingly resurrected city. For Lex, life is almost normal, but normal is precarious. Normal has a way of falling apart. One rainy night changes everything. Out on parole, Quin McAllister's father is arrested for the brutal murder of his new wife. As the Resistance resurges, claiming a conspiracy, Lex doesn't know what or who to believe. When old enemies resurface in new disguises and trusted friends start keeping secrets, normal splits right down the middle, leaving Lex and Quin on opposite sides.