Friends or family? Desire or responsibility? She thought she'd made her choice. Now, finding herself trapped in a world splintered from her own, Narissa is determined to return home. Learning that the means of crossing between realities has been lost, she vows to find the elusive gateway. Narissa doesn't plan to make friends. She certainly doesn't intend to fall in love. Faced with the decision, will she choose the life she wants, or return to the world where she belongs?

She spent the summer in The Refuge. Now, she’s come home. Within days she realizes: She wants back in. Only two things stand in her way. The sister Narissa has protected for years can’t decide if she wants to go with her. And, of course, Narissa has no idea how to return to the splinter reality. Complicating matters, Narissa discovers she can no longer avoid the problems her unexpected trip allowed her to escape. Through it all, there’s one thing that keeps her going. She’s not the only person to have left The Refuge.