Since the age of 18 Joseph has been an assassin fighting a generations-old secret war for a cause he believes in, but does not fully understand. The only rules he lives by are no killing of innocent bystanders and no killing anyone under 18; with horrendous penalties for any who break them. The public remain completely unware of the covert battles fought out on their streets. When Joseph is sent away on a punishingly dangerous assignment, he falls in love with Maria. Soon he discovers the only thing more dangerous than fighting a war is trying to leave it.