Book excerpt: Emily tries to re-integrate herself back into the world of the heku. Tempers are high and trust has been lost, but the process of healing begins.The beginnings of a peaceful existence between factions lead to deeper suspicions and distrust. Emily finds it easy to befriend the enemy factions, but the Equites question their motives.A petition forms for the acceptance of a 4th faction, but none of the current 3 will agree and the 4th faction turns to Emily for support and guidance.The V.E.S. become stronger in the United States and threatens to expose the heku. The factions align to stop that from happening, and find themselves at odds when Emily is thrown in with the V.E.S. to help their species.Exavior again causes problems, and finds himself in the grips of Chevalier's wrath. Not even the Valle comes to his defense and Exavior goes to severe extremes to get what he desires. He manages to expose even more of Emily's abilities, and she again finds herself lost in the world of the heku.