The school is the same as it's always been when Lizzy and Brody return, or at least so it seems at first. But the InT is meddling in school business, Marie is sneaking around and getting into mischief, Professor Holt has been replaced with a new and far less impressive teacher, and Pam still hasn't returned from her sick leave.

Back home, Lizzy's family is trying to take care of the Unassigneds, but it's proving hard to do without the support of the Langdale Family Council - who refuses to help unless Lizzy gives them something in return.

Things heat up for Lizzy as she tries to balance everything she has to do: with the school, with the Unassigneds, with the Family, and with her training. But things come to a boil when it becomes clear that Pam isn't just on sick leave, she is missing, seemingly vanished from the earth's surface.

The journey to find her, free her from whoever - or whatever - took her, and get her back safely leads the group into perilous forests and encounters with creatures that were supposed to only be myths. This time, mind control and speeches won't be enough to get them home safely. It's not just Officials lurking in the shadows anymore, and not all creatures can be reasoned with.