Deep in a Californian forest lies an ingenious and highly illegal base crucial to maintaining equilibrium. The diverse team in residence now faces their first serious threat. Patricia Cooper is a charismatic, natural leader who battles sporadic personality-altering darkness due to a traumatic experience in her youth. She must take action before it ruins her life. During one such episode, she encounters Jayden Walker, an ex-engineer turned maverick, blazing a new path off society’s grid, intent on making a difference. Jayden subsequently hikes deep into the forest on his most confronting project yet: to infiltrate the base’s fortress-like defenses and eliminate key personnel. On the journey, he forms a unique bond with an orphan of the woods before his ingenuity is tested. What he discovers is a beginning. And in another state, the corrupt distribution of an arts grant leaves a trail of grime. But how does this relate to Patricia? ★★★★★ 2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award: "A high-octane thriller packed with espionage, betrayal, and the kind of tactical ingenuity that makes you want to double-check your phone for tracking devices." - Literary Titan ★★★★★ "A gripping tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat." - Readers Choice