When Abbey's mother died in Africa during a medical research mission, many questions went unanswered.
What was she really doing there? Vague hints suggested the research she was involved in was about more than vaccinating villagers in the bush country. And exactly how did she die? Those who were with her offered only a few sketchy details.

For Abbey, there were other, personal questions. Why had her mother left her-such a young child-in the care of her father and gone away? Also, as a medical researcher now herself, can she live up to her mother's legacy as a hero in the foreign healthcare field?

Years later, another medical mission is launched, and Abbey, a highly-skilled epidemiologist, is chosen to participate, along with a somewhat legendary doctor in the field of vaccine research-a man who had traveled to Africa with her mother all those years ago. And though Sam is a mentor, a kindly and protective father figure, questions arise about him, too. Why was he so reticent to talk about Abbey's mother? Does he know anything about her death, but is unwilling to talk?

In a small African village, Abbey will encounter beautiful, helpful people who knew her mother and who take her in as if she is one of their own. But she will also face danger, as dark magic and violence come for her-either to drive her away or to claim her life.

And she meets Tomba, a highly intelligent, handsome, athletic boy, and a decision is made to bring him back to the U.S. to study and be trained to help his village and return to Africa.
Then a terrible tragedy strikes, as Tomba falls ill with a mystery disease and a fight is on to try to save him.

Life and death, candor and lies all collide in this page-turning story. . .until shocking truths are finally revealed.