Escaping is hard. Surviving is harder. Aster has lived a life of servitude for ten years, but now she is determined to be free. Countless Reapers stand between her and the gate to New Bethel, and more await just past the walls. She's spent her life being invisible, but in a world full of assassins, becoming close to any of them only makes you a target for the rest. Every step she takes puts her in more danger, closer to Reapers with unknown intentions. Unexpected friendships develop, but can she really trust any Reaper when they've all been trained to deceive? Aster and Chase know what awaits them outside the city, but can they get past it? In Aster's journey for freedom, she learns there are some things in life you can't ever truly escape from, and that some steps can't ever be taken back.