"Teacher has lost himself, becoming just another wandering Outsider. At first, Shiva doesn't want to believe, but as she realizes she's been forgotten, she falls into despair. Will the two of them ever truly connect again? Meanwhile, the truth of the world--and the machinations of gods--begins to come to light within the Inside. Humanity makes a choice. A little girl makes a choice. Their actions lead the way to a future that must not come to pass."--Back...

"Shiva's aunt has come to the Outside to bring her home, with several soldiers in tow. Alarmed at this show of force, Teacher tries to protect Shiva, but to no avail. Meanwhile, chaos threatens to engulf the small hamlet on the Inside. Where does Shiva truly belong?--

What Teacher feared most is true--the child Shiva has been afflicted with the curse of the Outsiders. Yet somehow, even touched by the blight, she remains human. How can it be possible?

"Hounded by two transformed soldiers desperate for salvation and with Teacher reeling from revelations about his own forgotten former life, the past finally catches up to Teacher and Shiva. With danger closing in around them at terrifying speed, is there nowhere safe for them to live a normal life together...?"--Provided by publisher.

"Teacher has lost himself, becoming just another wandering Outsider. At first, Shiva doesn't want to believe, but as she realizes she's been forgotten, she falls into despair. Will the two of them ever truly connect again? Meanwhile, the truth of the world--and the machinations of gods--begins to come to light within the Inside. Humanity makes a choice. A little girl makes a choice. Their actions lead the way to a future that must not come to pass."--Back...

"Everything eventually crumbles to dust, even a cozy stone cottage. The creaky floorboards and sooty chimney are now only a sweet memory. Time marches inexorably forward. Only the world will remain, spinning ever on. As everything slips into the past, what remains of Shiva and Teacher?s last moments? This was a story of two people -- one human, one inhuman -- who lingered in the hazy twilight that divides night from day. Now it reaches its end."--Back...