Twelve genetic experiments, attempts to create the best of humanity. Twelve failures. Twelve children, just brave enough to claim their lives for themselves. In this story of a makeshift family, fearless love and devastating betrayal, set before the events of Above Us, Only Sky, twelve remarkable minds share a dream of peace, equality and justice. But, to bring such an idea into reality, they must overcome humanity's reluctance to change, and risk being led astray by selfish dreams of power. Ultimately, blood will be shed, love will be found in unexpected places, and the dedicated few will carry on the impossible dreams of the fallen.

Io has always thought of herself as a layperson: not wealthy, brilliant or in any way dangerous, imprisoned for failing to pay off an old family debt. Not important or special, except perhaps for an amiable prison guard. Then Sigma Parthenos, a stranger more mystery than woman, shatters everything she thought she knew. Something is rising from the shadows, alleys and temples of the Neo-Hellenic Empire, a crescent moon of hope on the horizon, and Io must make a choice: leave her life behind, or forever destroy everything Sigma stands for. Every shred of hope.