Shanika Brown's father has just gone off to jail and left her with her abusive stepmother and her malicious stepsister. On her first day as a junior in high school, Shanika is already dying to get away from her home. As soon as school ends Shanika and her best friend Vanessa decide to walk home. On the way home Shanika sees a stunning necklace in a store window. Instantly Shanika is drawn to the necklace. Is this necklace just an ordinary gem or the key to the salvation of an entire empire?