Blamed for her uncle's death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of eighteenth century London, she disguises herself as a boy. Her life on the streets is cut short when she becomes Captain Hawke's cabin boy. Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm's motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl. Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when her past...

When a baby is abandoned in Peter and Lily's courtyard, the safe world they once knew is rocked to its core. Lily instantly falls in love with Nissa-a baby with a shock of red hair just like Lily. Peter finds the child's menacing black eyes and uncanny resemblance to his wife unsettling. But Nissa's appearance isn't nearly as disturbing as her penchant for mind control and chaos. Clearly, Nissa is in charge and on a mission.