In an elite, underground boarding school for elemental spirits in New Orleans, students deal with the common problems, popularity, turning assignments in, and staying alive. Everything is normal. Until, that is, Tarrisa turns 15 and still hasn't been claimed as air or earth. Both fire and water clans had been killed by hunters 100 years ago. Tarrisa embarks on a journey forgotten a century back, endangering her friends, family, and school in the process.