Eight years ago the December Plague swept through the human population of earth. The Infected were driven mad by the disease, becoming violent and cannibalistic, killing even those closest to them without hesitation. Six years ago, the tiny surviving community of Immune humans found a cure, and the Infected began to wake up and realize what they'd done. And what had been done to them.Eight years ago the December Plague swept through the human population of earth. The Infected were driven mad by the disease, becoming violent and cannibalistic, killing even those closest to them without hesitation.Six years ago, the tiny surviving community of Immune humans found a cure, and the Infected began to wake up and realize what they'd done. And what had been done to them.Over time, society began to rebuild itself. Now it is ready to judge those responsible for the Plague. Nella Rider, the court psychiatrist and Frank Courtlen a defense attorney are trying to establish the truth. But more depends on it than they know. They race to find the answers they need before the fragile remains of humanity vanish for good.

This is a tale from when the world was old.  This is what happened at the end.  In the earth's grave the Stone Messenger waited.  Deep in its belly, the jade seed lay.  The world was weary.  Its very bones were hollowed out and all the wild places had shriveled away.  All that had been was dying.Until Brone, the grower, called it forth. Brone was thrust into the crumbling world and pursued by the terrible beast, Ethon.  Still, she guarded the seed.  The breath of the world dwindled.  Only when the sun had been swallowed and even the memory of Man had been swept away, would the tiny seed flower and bear fruit.  There, at the end of all things, was the seed.  The seed and the hand that planted it.This is a story that has passed through many lips.  The story of our people's birth.  This is what happened before the Beginning.

Henry spent eight years chained to a post. Exposed, starved, infected with the December Plague, and mad. During those eight years, the December Plague consumed most of the world's human population, causing the infected to become violent and cannibalistic. But Henry escaped. And now he's been Cured. He vividly remembers what has been done to him and others. He can also recall the terrible things he did while he was infected. He and his fellow survivors face a world unlike anything they knew before. They are weak, lost and completely alone. Now released from both the madness of the Plague and the cruelty of their captors, they must decide which is more important: survival or revenge.