Rachael survived her adventures on The Floating Menagerie and went back to her normal life...except that her mom is still missing. Now she's coming down with the Exotics virus herself and is changing into a half-human, half-animal Exotic, just like her friends. As a new Exotic, Rachael can't control the change, so she travels to a safe place for Exotics in danger-Xanadu House. The house is owned by an aunt that Rachael never knew she had, and who will protect any Exotic, no matter which side they're on. But is Xanadu House as safe as it seems?