Lizzie is not human, but can take the form of one. After the death of her mom, she goes to live with her uncle, on the beach of San Diego. Her life is great, the life of a human and, well, a mermaid. Then, the humans get suspicious. They make TV shows and put high prices on the mermaids lives.

Years into the future, the United States of America, which is now ruled by a king, has a goal to form a new species of human. These humans will be faster, stronger, and smarter than the modern human. The government is doing this by putting all sixteen year old children into schools where they will have the chance to earn a Genetically Modified Partner. By doing this, a massive amount of children will be killed due to negative capabilities or other problems. Thus, all of the children with the wanted traits will be able to have children. When Glade Tide goes to one of these school, he realizes that doing what the government wants you to do isn't the right thing in the end.