God didn't choose you, Philadelphia.

The year is 2076. Earth is ruled by a one-world government. In order to maintain unity, all citizens must deny their national, racial, and religious identities—or suffer the consequences.

Stranded on Earth and haunted by a powerful nemesis, Dr. Nic and his ward Philadelphia Smyrna flee onto the streets of Beijing. With the government calling for their executions, they have no way to buy food, let alone a ticket off the planet. Nic searches for a way to get them off the grid, but he soon discovers that other forces are hunting for Philadelphia. Their former allies in the underground have split into dangerous factions after a failed mission. Both sides see Philadelphia as the key to victory in the brewing war, and both want her back. But Nic will do anything—including sacrifice the revolution—to keep them from finding her.