His superhuman gift is all they need. Yet it takes just one bad choice to cause his downfall. Taine lives in the world ravaged by a lethal disease. The only cure-substance-lies deep underground. The monsters swarming the caves hunt by light but Taine doesn't need his eyes-his superhuman sense of smell lets him navigate the dark passages with absolute precision. A perfect skill for a future substance reaper.
When Taine begins competing for a place at the Reaper Academy, everything seems to be going according to plan... until Vin crosses his path. For the first time, Taine's ideals collide with harsh reality, and he faces a test-which he fails.
Caught in the act, he is forced to betray his own values. Soon, he will learn how many times a person can outrun the consequences-and how high the price to pay can be.