Love, hate, fear; these are only words to Alethea Atlas. Born a prodigy among Sera Society, she's neurologically modified to feel nothing. But when her younger sister fails to meet Sera standards and is to be executed, Alethea feels for the first time. Seeking help from enemy rebels, she contrives a plan to take her sister's place. But she's shocked to wake after her execution in the care of the rebels and finds they treat her and her sister humanely. A rebel leader, Esmeralda, confesses they are about to be eradicated by a bio-weapon Alethea invented. Falling for Esmeralda, and her new found-family, Alethea vows to save them. But in order to save what's left of humanity, she must first awaken her own.