No one knew about the Strangers from beyond Noreela, and it was the Core's job to make sure it stayed that way. Kel Boon was once an agent of the land's most secret organization, tracking, observing, and eliminating the Strangers as part of an elite Core team. But then one horrifying encounter left his superior officer--and lover--dead, along with many innocents. And Kel has been running ever since.