1900. The frontier is cold, turbulent, and crawling with cultists. Esther Jefferson, a junior scout raised to weaponize the woodlands for the Disciples of Eden, once believed in her purpose. But after witnessing what no human should ever encounter, she wants out. Not just for her own sake, but for Thea Helmstock, the reluctant prodigy shackled to the cult’s godlike master since infancy.

Esther’s plan is fragile but feasible: a narrow chance at freedom stitched together with backwoods grit and a precious few allies. Her plan hinges on forging a faux camaraderie with her supervisor, Goethals, a manic, childish addict with a grotesque reputation. But the deeper Esther digs into his life, the more she realizes that Goethals is a miserable, mutilated creation; a victim warped by years of surviving under the cult’s sadistic executor, Ables, who is his superior, rival, father-figure, and somewhat-lover. For them, violence and affection are interchangeable. Their relationship is wrecking Goethals’ sanity, which is conducive to Esther’s scheme. But she’s only human.

Esther’s pity becomes something like friendship. The false bond blooms into something genuine. Goethals is on the brink of joining her cause. Esther can smell success. Then comes the betrayal.

The mutiny fails. Blood stains the frontier. Torture and death comes to all conspirators. But not Esther. Goethals spares her, not out of guilt or mercy, but because in the visceral aftermath, he clings to the delusion that she’s the only real friend he’s ever had. And he can’t let his one friend go.