In a new world isolated by a rising, toxic sea, a single bridge connects Askala to the Outlands. Those who remain will need to pass a Proving to determine if they have the intelligence and heart to champion the future of their broken Earth. Those who succeed will become Bound, the ones chosen to breed. Those who fail, are Unbound. Free of responsibility, but robbed of their ability to bear children. Four young lives are born into this world. Magnus and Callix, two brothers determined to uphold this new order. Two brothers in love with the same girl. Amity, the one who must make the impossible choice. And Mercy, the girl who no one sees, but sees it all. As a new threat to Askala emerges, secrets will be revealed and the fight for survival will become their biggest challenge yet. Life is fragile. Love will refuse to be denied. Sacrifice will be inevitable.