"Papa couldn't save me this time. All I have are words. Words of a lullaby. Words that mean nothing when the hot breath of the Turned steams across the back of my neck, and its sharp, poisonous teeth sink deep into my flesh. To consume or be consumed. Those were the choices." Ashe Wintergreen has lived her entire life breaking the law of the Guardianship. To survive, she hunts illegally outside the protection of the Gates to keep her family alive and fed as her village dies around them. The Guardianship, the very body of men and women whose sworn purpose is to protect and govern the village, is merciless, unforgiving, and they will not be defied. But there are other dangers. Dangers outside the Gates. The very thing they protect the village of Thornbrush from. And Ashe will be forced to face it. The Turned.