If you could change time to save your first love--even if it meant turning your back on the universe--would you? It is time for the Vechey youth to earn their place as time-guardians. The near-immortal Vechey protect the universe from the devastating Manipulators--devourers of souls, mindless seekers of chaos. First, the youth must survive a mysterious and deadly ritual created by the all-powerful clan leader Eterili. Having regenerated thousands of times with the birth of each universe, Eterili is taking this one as hers and bending all in it to her grand designs. Catha's time-slipping skills are underdeveloped. She is time-blind--unable to see through time, unable to protect herself from the ritual. The Vechey shun her for being different. Her parents ignore her as if she were already dead. Aithagg loves Catha unconditionally and will do anything to save her. He tries desperately to unlock the ritual's mysteries and find a way to help Catha survive with him. Or will saving Catha enable the Manipulators to destroy the universe?